BANCROFT 
LIBRARY 

•o 

THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


THE 

MILLENNIUM, 

AND  OTHER 

POEMS: 

TO  WHICH  IS  ANNEXED, 

A    TREATISE 

ON  THE 

REGENERATION  AND  ETERNAL  DURATION 

OF 

MATTER. 


BY  P.  P.  PRATT, 

MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 


PRINTED  BY  W.  MOLINEUX,  COR.  OF  ANN  AND  NASSAU  STREETS. 
MDGCCXL. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  One  Thousand  Eight 
Hundred  and  Thirty-nine,  by  P.  P.  PRATT,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  for 
the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


REFACE. 


WHEN  these  Poems  were  first  written,,  the  Author  had  no 
intention  of  compiling  them  in  'one  volume  :  they  sprang 
into  existence  one  after  another  as  occasion  called  them 
forth,  at  times  and  in  places,  and  under  circumstances 
widely  varying.  Some  came  forth  upon  the  bank  of  the 
Jar-famed  Niagara,  and  some  were  the  plaintive  strains 
poured  from  a  full  heart  in  the  lonely  dungeons  of  Missouri 
where  the  Author  was  confined  upwards  of  eight  months 
during  the  late  persecution ;  some  were  poured  from  the  top 
of  the  White  Mountains  of  New  Hampshire,  and  others 
were  uttered  while  wandering  over  the  flowery  plains  and 
wide-extended  prairies  of  the  west;  some  were  written  in 
crowded  halls  and  thronged  cities,  and  some  in  the  lonely 
forest ;  some  were  the  melting  strains  of  joy  and  admiration 
in  contemplating  the  approaching  dawn  of  that  glorious 
day  which  shall  crown  the  earth  and  its  inhabitants  with 


IV  PREFACE. 

universal  peace  and  rest;  and  others  were  produced  on  the 
occasion  of  taking  leave  of  my  family,  friends,  or  the  great 
congregation,  on  a  mission  to  other  and  distant  parts  ;  and 
some  were  wrung  from  a  bosom  overflowing  with  grief  at 
the  loss  of  tho|f  who  were  nearest  and  dearest  to  my  heart. 
te  The  Regeneration  and  Eternal  Duration  of  Matter,"  in 
particular  was  a  production  in  prison,  which  was  more 
calculated  to  comfort  and  console  myself  and  friends  when 
death  stared  me  in  the  face,  than  as  an  argumentative  or 
philosophical  production  for  the  instruction  of  others.  At 
length,  the  Author  was  induced  to  embody  the  whole  in 
one  volume  in  the  hope  that  perhaps  others  might  find  them 
source  of  instruction,  edification ,  and  comfort. 


CONTENTS. 

Page 

THE  MILLENNIUM 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH, 31 

TRUE  PATRIOTISM,    .., 39 

DISPENSATION  OF  THE  FULNESS  OF  TIMES,       40 

MINISTRY  TO  THE  NEPHITES, 43 

NEPHITES,  LAMANITES,  &c.    47 

HARMONY  OF  NATURE,  49 

INHERITANCE  OF  THE  SAINTS, 51 

REDEMPTION  OF  ZION,    53 

EVENING  REFLECTIONS,    55 

MISSION  OF  THE  TWELVE, 56 

FAREWELL 59 

REFLECTIONS  IN  PRISON, 62 

FALLS  OF  NIAGARA, 66 

SPRING, 67 

SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES, 68 

BIRTH-DAY  IN  PRISON,    70 

ZION  IN  CAPTIVITY,    73 

OUR  COUNTRY, 74 

O,  MISSOURI,  HOW  ART  THOU  FALLEN, 80 

NEW  YEAR'S  SONG,    82 

LAMENTATION, 84 

LAMENTATION,  &c 86 

FUNERAL  HYMN,   ; 89 

FAREWELL  MEMORIAL, 90 

THE  PILGRIM,     91 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE,  FAREWELL, 92 

TEE  DOWNFALL  OF  BABYLON, 93 

PRATT'S  DEFENCE, ......  95 

PRATT'S  DELIVERANCE, 100 

VISIT  TO  THE  WHITE  MOUNTAINS,    101 

REGENERATION  AND  ETERNAL  DURATION  OF  MATTER,  ...  103 


JUST    PUBLISHED, 
And  for  Sale  by  P.  P.  PRATT, 

A  HISTORY  OF  THE  LATE  PERSECUTION 


IN 


ALSO,  THE  VOICE  OF  WARNING; 

OR, 

AN    INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  DOCTRINE  OF    THE  LATTER- 
DAY    SAINTS. 


O"  Our  Books  are  to  be  obtained  at  our  meetings,  and  of  our  travelling 
Preachers,  and  also  at  such  Book  Stores  as  we  shall  advertize  hereafter. 


THE  MILLENNIUM. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introduction— Location  of  the  Ten  Tribes— The  way  prepared— Their  return 
to  their  own  lands— The  waters  divided— Their  return  contrasted  with 
their  going  out  of  Egypt. 

A  GLORIOUS  theme  the  sacred  muse  inspires, 
Cheers  up  the  soul,  and  tunes  the  sounding  lyre: 
Lights  the  dark  vale  of  sorrow,  pain  and  wo, 
And  gives  to  man  a  paradise  below. 
The  joyful  time,  by  prophets  long  foretold, 
At  length  comes  rolling  on  the  astonished  world; 
When  God,  the  second  time,  should  set  his  hand, 
To  gather  Israel  to  their  promised  land. 
An  ensign  to  the  nations  now  is  reared, 
The  standard  waving,  and  the  way  prepared; 

1 


Z  THE    MILLENNIUM. 

4* 

Let  kings  and  empires  tremble  at  his  word, 
The  gentle  nations  all  their  aid  afford. 
What  though  Assyria's  captives  long  and  lone,* 
Have  wandered  outcasts  to  the  world  unknown, 
In  some  far  region  to  the  frozen  north, 
Where  pale-Borealis  sends  his  meteors  forth  !! 
Where  fields  of  ice  unbounded  block  the  road, 
To  keep  intruders  from  their  drear  abode  ; 
Where   no   sweet   flowers   the   dreary   landscape 

cheer, 

Nor  plenteous  harvests  crown  the  passing  year  ? 
What  though  the   land    where   milk   and    honey- 
flowed, 

And  peace  and  plenty  crowned  their  blest  abode, 
Has  by  the  Gentiles  long  been  trodden  down, 
And  desolation  reigned  o'er  all  the  ground? 
Yet  soon  the  icy  mountains  down  shall  flow, 
The  parched  ground  in  springs  of  water  flow, 
The  barren  desert  yield  delicious  fruit, 
Their  souls  to  cheer,  their  spirits  to  recruit  ; 
Mountains  before  them  levelled  to  a  plain, 
The  valleys  rise,  the  ocenn  cleave  in  twain, 

*  Tho  Ten"  Tribe*. 


T  H  E     M  I  L  L  E  N  N  I  U  M.  3 

The  crooked   straightened,  and    the   rough  made 

plain, 

The  way  prepared,  lo,  Israel  comes  again ! 
The  seven  streams  of  Egypt's  rolling  flood 
Shall  feel  the  power  and  might  of  Israel's  God, 
Their  waves  on  heaps,  like  towering  mountains 

rise, 

They  cross  dry  shod,  with  wonder  ancl  surprise. 
And  thus  with  joy  Assyria's  captives  come, 
In  grand  procession  to  their  ancient  home ; 
A  scene  of  joy  and  wonder  more  sublime 
Than  all  that  passed  in  hardened  Pharaoh's  time, 
When  captive  Israel  raised  to  heaven  their  cry, 
And  Moses  came,  commiss'oned  from  on  high, 
Poured  the  ten  plagues  on  Egypt  with  his  rod, 
The  monarch  trembling,  owned  the  power  of  Godf 
And  filled  with  envy,  rage,  and  wild  dismay, 
Thrust  Israel  forth,  and  bade  them  haste  away ; 
Then  moved  with  wild  despair  that  all  was  lost. 
He  straight  pursued  them  with  his  numerous  host ; 
Before  them  stretched  the  vast  expanded  sea, 
And  mountains,  on  each  side,  hedged  up  the  way, 


*  THE     MILLENNIUM. 

The  roar  of  chariots  armed,  pressed  on  their  rear 
In  dread  array,  and  filled  their  souls  with  fear : 
Till  Moses  o'er  the  sea  stretched  forth  his  rod, 
And  cleared  a  passage  through  the  mighty  flood, 
And  soon,  with  safety,  led.  his  armies  through, 
But  Pharaoh,  close  behind,  did  still  pursue  ; 
The  floods  returning  with  majestic  roar, 
His  armies  sunk,  overwhelmed,  to  rise  no  more ; 
While  Israel  still  pursued  their  joyous  way, 
Their  God,  in  fire  by  night,  in  cloud  by  day 
Before  them  moved,  majestic  to  behold ! 
Until  on  Sinai's  mount  the  thunder  rolled, 
And  lightnings  flaming  in  one  general  glare, 
While  clouds  of  smoke  hung  on  the  darkened  air. 
Jehovah  spake  !  the  trumpet,  long  and  loud, 
Earth's  whole  foundation  to  the  centre  bowed. 
Israel  and  Moses  quaking  stood  around, 
A  sudden  trembling  seized  the  solid  ground. 
Moses,  at  length,  drew  near ;  the  law  was  given, 
Of  justice,  equal  weights,  and  measure  even  : 
And  angels'  food  became  their  constant  bread, 
A  month  on  quails  their  numerous  hosts  were  fed, 


THEMILLENNIUM.  6 

The  rock  was  smitten,  and  a  fountain  burst, — 
Poured  forth  its  cooling  stream  to  quench  their 

thirst. 

His  angel  led  them  all  their  journey  through ; 
The  nations  trembling,  fainted  at  the  view ; 
Their  mighty  walls  fell  tumbling  to  the  ground, 
Destruction  swept  the  nations,  all  around. 
But  lo !  a  scene  more  glorious  strikes  my  view 
Than  Israel  ever  saw  or  Egypt  knew : 
Ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  I  behold, 
Returning  home,  as  prophets  long  foretold : 
Sing,  O  ye  heavens !  let  earth  rejoice  again, 
And  all  prepare  for  king  Messiah's  reign. 


l» 


CHAPTER  II. 

Situation  of  the  Jew,  from  their  dispersion  to  the  present  time,  and  the  de 
solation  of  their  land  and  city — Their  restoration  to  the  Land  of  Canaan 
—Rebuilding  of  Jerusalem  and  the  Temple. 

Lo  !  Judea's  remnants — long  dispersed  abroad, 
Without  a  prophet,  king,  or  priest  of  God — 
Have  wandered  exiles  from  their  native  home, 
To  darkness  doomed,  till  their  deliverance  comes . 
„  Their  city,  once  so  glorious  to  behold, 
Their  temple,  decked  with   precious   stones   and 

gold, 

The  selft  of  wisdom,  and  the  light  of  kings, 
Where  mighty  nations  did  their  tribute  bring, 
Have  long  remained  in  one  wide  ruin  round, 
And  desolation  reigned  o'er  all  the  ground. 
But  comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your  God ; 
Proclaim  the  joyful  tidings  far  abroad : 
Thy  sins  are  pardoned,  and  thy  warfare  o'er, 
Thy  sons  and  daughters  now  shall  grieve  no  more ; 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  7 

But  kings  thy  nursing  fathers  shall  become  ; 
Their  ships,  and  beasts,  and  chariots  bring  thee 

home. 

The  Gentiles,  in  their  arms,  thy  sons  return ; 
Thy  daughters  on  their  shoulders  shall  be  borne. 

Trees  crowned  with  fruit  their  fainting  souls  shall 
cheer, 

Their  desert  land  like  Eden  shall  appear ; 
Their  fields,  where  desolation  long  has  reigned, 
Shall  now,  be  fenced,  and  tilled,  and  sowed  again; 
And  flocks  and  herds,  in  plenty  shall  be  seen, 
O'er  all  the  plains  they  feed  in  pastnres  green. 
Thy  ruined  cities  shall  in  splendor  rise, 
Thy  lofty  towers  point  upwards  to  the  skies  ; 
Thy  temple  reared,  most  glorious  to  behold, 
Its  courts  adorned  with  precious  stones  and  gjpld : 
All  things  restored,  as  prophets  long  declared, 
Thus  king  Messiah's  way  shall  be  prepared. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Situation  of  the  remnant  of  Joseph  from  the  fall  of  the  Nephites  A.  D.  400,  to 
the  di.-covery  of  America  by  Columbus — Effect  upon  the  natives  at  first 
view  of  European  vessels — Kind  reception  of  the  Europeans  by  th* 
natives — War  with  the  Indians  and  their  defeat — Rapid  settlement  of 
the  eastern  shores — The  war  renewed,  subsequent  sufferings  of  the  Co 
lonies — They  again  drive  the  red  man — Their  settlements  advance  to  the 
Ohio  and  the  lakes  —  Further  struggle  of  the  natives,  their  final  sub 
mission. 

RISE,  heavenly  muse,  and  leave  those  scenes  of  joy, 
Awhile  let  other  climes,  thy  pen  employ, 
Extend  thy  vision,  cross  the  mighty  deep, 
And  o'er  Columbia's  scenes  in  anguish  weep. 
See  Joseph's  remnants,  long  in  darkness  dwell, 
Since  by  their  hands  a  mighty  nation  fell.* 
The  light  which  once  illumed  their  happy  land, 

Where  towns  and  cities  did  in  order  stand, 
• 

Had    slumbered   long    beneath   their   mouldering 

.  towers. 
Their  flowery  landscape,  and  their  shady  bowers. 

*  The  Nephites. 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  9 

Had  long  been  scenes  of  cruelty,  and  blood, 
The  scourge  and  wrath  of  an  avenging  God : 
When  lo  !  a  scene  of  wonder,  struck  their  view ; 
O'er  the  vast  deep,  an  obje'ct  strange  and  new, 
Came  gliding  swiftly  onward  to  the  shore, 
Part  fish,  part  fowl,  or  something  to  adore ; 
They  gazed,  with  admiration  and  delight, 
As  plainer  still  the  object,  hove  in  sight: 
Nor  little  dreamed,  the  Gentiles  were  at  hand, 
To  smite  and  drive  them,  from  their  blessed  land. 
With  warmest  friendship,  they  their  guests  sustain, 
Until  too  late,  they  find  their  struggles  vain: 
Whole  fleets  and  armies,  lined  their  lengthened  shore; 
With  din  of  armour  bright,  and  cannon's  roar ; 
Their  cities  burned,  and  drenched  with  human  gore, 
They  sunk  in  ruin,  and  were  known  no  more. 
See  Gentile  cities  on  a  sudden  rise, 
Their  lofty  spires  point  upward  to  the  skies, 
Where  late  the  shades,  spread  o'er  the  red  man's 

grave, 

A  sacred  bower  in  memory  of  the  brave. 
See  boundless  forests  still  around  them  spread, 
From  north  to  south,  an  immeasurable  shade ; 


10  THE     MILLENNIUM; 

Where  mighty  chieftains  oft  the  signal  gave, 
And  struggled  long,  their  country  for  to  save. 
Tribes  rose  to  vengeance  while  their  councils  rung, 
And  liberty  still  thundered  from  their  tongues  ; 
Onward  they  rushed  with  rage  and  wild  despair, 
The  midnight  war-whoop  rent  the  darkened  air ; 
While  terror  seized  their  unsuspecting  prey, 
And  blood  of  infants  marked  their  dreadful  way! 
Towns  wrapped  in  flames  and  women  captive  led, 
Where  cruel  torture  filled  their  souls  with  dread. 
Once  more  the  Genlile  stung  with  keen  revenge ; 
Pursues  the  red  skin  o'er  the  woodland  range, 
Till  darkened  swamps  become  their  wild  retreat ; 
And  there  prepared,  the  advancing  foe  they  meet. 
With  desperation  they  their  cause  maintain ; 
Till  many  a  chieftain  fell, — their  struggle  vain, 
Till  by  superior  force  overpowered  they  yield, 
And  leave  the  pale-face  master  of  the  field. 
From  the  St.  Lawrence's  snow  invested  wilds, 
To  Florida,  where  constant  verdure  smiles, 
Their  towns  and  cities  sprinkle  all  the  shore ; 
The  midnight  war-whoop  there  is  heard  no  more. 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  11 

But  as  their  rapid  settlements  advance, 
To  the  dark  wilds,  round  Erie's  vast  expanse, 
Or  o'er  the  Alleghanies  bend  their  course, 
Where  broad  Ohio's  waters  have  their  source ; 
The  natives  roused  once  more  in  dread  array, 
Assert  their  rights,  spread  terror  and  dismay  ; 
Till  over-powered  again,  they  take  to  flight, 
And  with  reluctance  yield  their  lawful  right. 
But  tribes  remoter  still,  with  dread  surprize, 
Alarmed  at  their  approach,  vindictive  rise, 
Renew  the  conflict  with  redoubled  force, 
With'  dreadful  slaughter  mark  their  vengeful  course, 
Till  checked  by  force  superior  to  their  own, 
Again  they  fly  discouraged  and  undone, 
Reduced  in  numbers,  give  the  struggle  o'er, 
Tamely  submit,  and  seek  their  rights  no  more. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


TheAmerican  Revolution— Its  effects  upon  other  nations— French  Revolution 
—Revolution  of  Greece,  Poland,  &c. — Present  prosperity  of  the  United 
States  of  America — Present  state  of  the  Indians — Indian  prayer. 


MEANTIME  the  Gentiles  break  their  foreign  yoke, 
While  tyrants  tremble  at  the  dreadful  stroke, 
Assert  their  freedom,  gain  their  liberty, 
And  to  the  world  proclaim  Columbia  free. 
O'er  ocean's  wave  triumphant  in  the  breeze, 
Her  banner  floats  o'er  all  the  distant  seas, 
Where  dire  oppression,  long  with  tyrant  sway, 
Had  ruled  mankind,  and  led  them  far  astray. 
With  admiration  seized,  the  nations  all, 
Filled  with  delight  Columbia's  deeds  extol ; 
And  gazing  still,  they  catch  the  sacred  fire, 
And  love  of  liberty  their  souls  inspire. 
While  nations  oft  in  their  extended  plan ; 
From  slumber  wake  to  claim  the  rights  of  man, 


THE    MILLENNIUM.  13 

Empires  o'erturned,  and  tyrants  headlong  hurled, 
The  voice  of  freedom  echoes  round  the  world. 
First,  France  arose,  in  triumph  led  the  way, 
Till  love  of  conquest  led  them  far  astray ; 
And  dire  ambition  seized  the  helm  of  state, 
Through  seas  of  blood,  where  millions  met  their 

fate: 
Till  they  reluctant  give  the  struggle  o*er, 

And  rest  content  with  rights  enjoyed  before. 

«. 
And  next  the  Greeks  their  ancient  spirit  caught, 

From  long  oppression  roused  they  bravely  fought, 
They  burst  the  Moslem  chains  emerging  free. 
Through  seas  of  blood  obtained  their  liberty. 
Poland  in  turn  received  the  sacred  fire, 
Her  noble  sons  for  freedom  did  aspire ; 
And  struggling  long  at  length  they  bravely  fell. 
But  cease,  my  muse ;  the  tale  forbear  to  tell, 
And  turn  again  unto  the  favored  shore, 
Where  freedom's  genius  kindly  hovers  o'er, 
See  states  and  nations  joyfully  extend, 
Their  wide  domain  almost  from  end  to  end: 


J4  THE     MILLENNIUM. 

From  the  far  eastern  shores  of  rugged  Mainer 

To  wild  Missouri's  rich  and  flowery  plains, 

The  harvest  fields  with  rural  plenty  crowned  % 

And  flowery  gardens  flourish  all  around; 

The  humble  cottage  and  the  lofty  dome, 

Each  crowned  with  plenty  form  an  equal  home. 

See  on  her  lakes,  and  on  her  thousand  streams, 

Her  vessels  float  impelled  by  sail  or  steam, 

While  busy  commerce  floats  along  her  seas, 

With  sails  expanded  wide  before  the  breeze ; 

Far  o'er  the  wave  her  rich  produce-  they  bear. 

And  in  return  bring  every  kind  of  ware, 

To  clothe  her  sons,  her  daughters  to  array, 

In  linen  fine  and  silk  and  purple  gay ; 

Thus  peace  and  plenty  crown  Columbia's  soil,, 

A  rich  reward  of  industry  and  toil. 

Lo  !  the  poor  Indian,  if  he  chanco  to  roam 

O'er  the  \vide  fields  he  once  could  call  his  own; 

Where  oft  in  youth  he  sported  in  the  chace, 

Mo-.irning    the    change,    he    scarcely   knows   tfea 

place ; 

With  bursting  heart  his  streaming  eyes  survey 
Th<>  sacred  mound  where  lies  his  father's  clay. 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  Lr> 

/ 

O'erwheimed  with  grief  to  heaven  he  lifts  his  eyes 

Before  the  throne  his  prayers  like  incense  rise : 

Great  Spirit  of  our  fathers  lend  an  ear, 

Pity  the  red  man — to  his  cries  give  ear, 

Long  hast  thou  scourged  him  with  thy  chastening 

sore, 
When   will   thy   vengeance  cease,  thy   wrath  be 

o'er; 

When  will  the  white  man's  dire  ambition  cease, 
And  let  our  scattered  remnants  dwell  in  peace  ? 
Or  shall  we,  (driven  to  the  western  shore) 
Become  extinct  and  fall  to  rise  no  more  ? 
Forbid,  great  Spirit ;  make  thy  mercy  known, 
Reveal  thy  truth,  thy  wandering  captives  own, 
Make  bare  thine  arm  of  power  for  our  release, 
And  o'er  the  earth  extend  the  reign  of  peace. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Coming  forth  of  the  fulness  of  the  Gospel — Restoration  of  the  Indiana  ana 
their  gathering  West  of  the  Mississippi,  by  the  present  administration  in 
fulfilment  of  prophecy — Commission  and  Ministry  of  the  servants  of  God 
in  the  last  dispensation — Commencement  of  the  gathering  of  the  Gentilo 
Church — Their  persecution  and  dispersion  in  fulfilment  of  prophecy, 
from  which  reflections  are  drawn  on  tho  subject  of  persecution  in  general 
— The  enduement  of  the  servants  of  God  and  their  ministry  among  all 
nations — The  power  of  God  displayed  in  making  bare  his  arm  in  the 
eyes  of  all  nations — They  flow  to  Zion — Possess  the  land  in  peace — 
Build  up  a  holy  city  no  more  to  be  thrown  down — The  wars,  earthquakes, 
pestilences,  famines  and  signs  in  heaven  above  and  earth  beneath  which 
are  to  precede  tho  Millennium — The  resurrection  of  the  saints — The 
coming  of  Christ  with  all  his  saints — The  burning  of  the  wicked — The 
restitution  of  the  earth  with  all  its  blessings. 

Ye  gloomy  scenes  far  hence,  intrude  no  more  ? 

Sublimer  themes  invite  the  muse,  to  soar 

In  loftier  strains,  while  scenes    both  strange  and 

new, 

Burst  on  the  sight  and  open  to  the  view. 
Lo !  from  the  opening  heavens  in  bright  array. 
An  angel  comes,  to  earth  he  bends  his  way, 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  17 

Reveals  to  man  in  power,  as  at  the  first, 
The  fulness  of  the  Gospel  long  since  lost. 
See  earth  obedient  from  its  bosom  yeild ! 
The  sacred  truth  it  faithfully  conceal'd, 
The  wise  confounded  startle  at  the  sight, 
The  proud  and  haughty  tremble  with  affright ; 
The  hireling  priests  against  the  truth  engage, 
While  hell  beneath  stands  trembling  filled  with  rage. 
False  are  their  hopes  and  all  their  struggles  vain, 
Their  craft  must  fall  and  with  it  all  their  gain; 
The  deaf  must  hear,  the  meek  their  joy  increase. 
The  poor  be  glad  and  their  oppression  cease. 
See  Congress  stand  in  all  the  power  of  state, 
Destined,  like  Cyrus,  now  to  change  the  fate 
Of  Joseph's  scattered  remnants !  long  oppressed, 
And  bring  them  home  unto  a  land  of  rest; 
Beyond  the  Mississippi's  rolling  flood, 
A  land  before  ordained  by  Israel's  God! 
Where  Zion's  city  shall  in  grandeur  rise, 
And  fill  the  wondering  nations  with  surprise. 
From  north,  and  south,  and  east  behold  them  come 
By  tens  of  thousands  to  their  destined  home  I 
2* 


18  THE     MILLENNIUM. 

From  heaven's  king  commissioned  to  proclaim 
Repentance,  and  baptism  in  his  name, 
His  servants  to  the  Gentiles  lift  their  voice, 
While  tens  of  thousands  in  the  sound  rejoice, 
And  they  to  Zion  bend  their  joyful  way, 
With  songs  of  joy  and  gladness  hail  the  day. 
The  priests  and  people  filled  with  dread  surprise* 
Alarm'd  at  their  approach  vindictive  rise, 
And  lest  the  power  of  truth  should  still  prevail. 
They  think  to  cause  the  prophecy  to  fail. 
And  if  by  fire  and  sword  the  saints  they  drive, 
While  other  sects  and  parties  grow  and  thrive, 
As  bloody  persecution  lifts  her  thong, 
All  parties  cry  at  once,  the  saints  are  wrong; 
For  if  they  were  the  chosen  of  the  Lord, 
He  would  protect  them  and  fulfil  his  word. 
O  fools,  and  slow  of  heart  to  understand 
The  prophecies  concerning  Zion's  land. 
Have  ye  not  read  the  words  of  them  of  old  ? 
When  wrapt  in  vision  clear  they  have  foretold 
The  wicked  deeds  that  you  of  late  fulfill'd, 
The  scenes  that  have  transpired  on  Zion's  hill  ? 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  19 

He  that  is  truly  wise  will  search  and  see, 

He  that  ?s  already  blind  more  blind  shall  be  ; 

One  truth  is  clear,  the  ransom*  d  shall  return, 

Another  is,  the  wicked  shall  be  burned. 

How  vain  the  thoughts  that  stripes  would  change 

the  mind, 

Convince  the  judgment  and  convert  mankind. 
Or  cruel  scourge  of  mobs  with  all  their  rage. 
Make  man  believe  that  this  enlightened  age 
Needs  no  repentance,  faith,  nor  nothing  more 
Than  the  religion  they  enjoyed  before. 
If  persecution  were  good  argument. 
Why  not  the  Jews  make  ancient  saints  repent? 
Paul  of  all  men  the  hardest  to  reclaim, 
Stoned,  whipt,  imprisoned,  still  remained  the  same ; 
Ten  thousand  heretics  rejoiced  in  fire, 
While  priests  for  their  conversion  did  aspire. 
'Tis  true  the  Romans  many  converts  made, 
When  they  the  inquisition  call'd  to  aid, 
Perhaps  these  modern  times  have  made  a  few, 
Who  turn'd  from  saints  to  join  the  drunken  crew ; 
But  persecution  spreads  the  truth  abroad, 
Make  servants  bolder  in  the  cause  of  God. 


20  T  H  E     M  I  L  T,  E  N  N  I  U  M . 

Adds  to  their  numbers,  twice  ten  thousand  more, 
And  makes  them  stronger  than  they  were  before. 

Sec  men  commission'd  in  Messiah's  name, 
Wide  o'er  the  earth  the  joyful  news  proclaim; 
While  from  on  high  the  spirit's  power  descends 
On  all  the  saints  that  bow  to  his  commands, 
The  deaf  shall  hear,  the  blind  their  sight  receive, 
rThe  dumb  shall  sing  with  joy,  the  dying  live, 
The  lame  shall  leap,  and  all  mankind  behold 
Jehovah's  arm  made  bare,  like  days  cf  old. 

% 

While  his  elect  to  Zion  gather  home, 
From  every  tribe  and  nation  see  them  come. 
See  o'er  the  land  where  desolation  reign'd, 
The  saints  in  peace,  enjoy  their  rights  again. 

Rise,  crown'd  with  light,  imperial  Zion  rise, 
Prepare  to  meet  the  city  from  the  skies, 
Let  Joseph's  remnants  at  thy  gates  attend, 
Walk  in  thy  light,  and  in  thy  temple  bend, 
While    Gentile   saints   thy    spacious    courts   shall 

throng, 

And  join  their  voices  in  the  general  song  ; 
No  more  shall  proud  oppression  drive;  the  hence, 
Nor  terror  come,  for  God  is  your  defence 


THE     MILLENNIUM.  21 

Come,  gentle  muse,  suspend  the  joyful  lay, 
And  o'er  the  earth  let's  take  a  wide  survey  ; 
Soft  touch  the  lyre  in  slow  and  mournful  strains, 
And  sing  of  scenes  where  death  and  sorrow  reign  ; 
See  dire  commotion  seize  the  nations  all, 
While  blood  and  war  the  stoutest  hearts  appal, 
Kingdom  on  kingdom  in  confusion  hurl'd, 
System  on  system  wreck' d  throughout  the  world, 
Sect  against  sect  in  bloody  strife  engage. 
Man  against  man  in  single  combat  rage, 
While  widows  mourn  the  loss  of  husbands  slain, 
And  virgins  for  their  bridegrooms  weep  in  vain, 
While   pining   famine    wastes   their   strength    by 

day, 

And  pestilence  oft  seizes  on  its  prey ; 
Earthquakes  in  turn  in  bellowing  fury  roar, 
And  ocean's  waves  roll  frightful  to  the  shore. 
See   through  the    heavens   the   sun  in   sackcloth 

mourn, 

The  moon  to  blood  in  frowning  anger  turns, 
The  stars  affrighted  from  their  spheres  are  hurled. 
System  on  system  wreck'd  and  world  on  world. 


22  THE     M  f  L  L  EN  If  I  U  M, 

Earth's  whole  foundation  to  the  centre  nods. 
And  nature  trembling  feels  the  power  of  God. 
While  Michael  sounds  the  trumpet  loud  and  long, 
See   from    their    graves    the    saints    unnumbered 

throng  « 

Seo  through  the  air  the  ocean  and  the  earth, 
Their  dust  reviving  bursting  into  birth, 

See  bone  to  bone  in  perfect  order  fly, 

• 
While  sinews,  flesh,  and  skin  their  place  supply: 

*  And  every  hair  all  number'd  in  its  place, 
Immortal  beauty  does  their  temples  grace. 
Thus  formed  anew  with  joy  they  mount  on  high, 
And  wing  their  passage  to  the  upper  sky; 
Meantime  the  heavens  rend  while  wrapt  in  fire, 
The  nations  see  the  glory  of  Messiah! 
With  all  the  saints  to  earth  he  bends  his  way; 
In  flames  descends,  who  can  abide  the  day? 
The  great,  the  rich,  the  mighty  loudly  call, 
Saying,  ye  rocks  and  mountains  on  us  fall. 
But  fire  consumes  the  wicked,  branch  and  root, 
And  leaves  their  ashes  trodden  under  foot. 
Behold  the  Mount  of  Olives  rend  in  twain, 
While  on  its  top  he  sets  his  feet  again ! 


THE     MILLENNIUM. 

The  islands  at  his  word  obedient  flee ! 
While  to  the  north  he  rolls  the  mighty  sea! 
Restores  the  earth  in  one,  as  at  the  first, 
With  all  its  blessings,  and  removes  the  curse. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  binding'  of  Satan— Pouring  out  of  the  spinlt  Upon  all  flesh— Harmony 
of  all  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  while  peace  and  the  knowledge  and  glory 
|  r>f  God  shall  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea — The  faith  of 
Abel  the  first  martyr— Enoch's  song— The  testimony  of  many  of  the 
holy  prophets  and  apoMles — And  the  general  expectation  of  all  the 
saints  in  all  nations  and  generations. 

Lo !  Satan  bound  in  chains  shall  rage  no  more, 
Nor  tempt  mankind  till  thousand  years  are  o'er ; 
But  perfect  peace  and  harmony  extend 

Their  wide  domain  to  earth's  remotest  ends. 

,  » 
All  flesh  shall  feel  the  spirit  from  on  high, 

The  wolf  and  lamb  in  peace  together  lie. 

The  cow  and  bear  shall  feed  in  pastures  green, 

While  in  the  shade  their  young  ones  shall  be  seen, 

The  lion  cease  to  be  a  beast  of  prey, 

And  like  the  harmless  ox  shall  feed  on  hay; 

The  little  child  secure  from  harm  shall  stray 

O'er  poisonous  serpent's  dens  shall  fearless  play : 


THE     MILLENNIUM. 

in  all  God's  holy  Mount  shall  naught  destroy,  - 
But  men  for  pruning  hooks  their  spears  employ : 
Their  swords  to  ploughshares  turned,  shall  till  the 

ground, 

While  plenteous  harvests  flourish  all  around, 
And   earth   o'erwhelm'd   with   knowledge   of  the 

Lord, 

Like  as  the  waters  fill  the  mighty  flood ; 
While  king  Messiah  reigns  the  king  of  kings, 
And  saints  and  angels  join  his  praise  to  sing. 

Hail  glorious  day,  by  prophets  long  foretold; 
And  sought  by  holy  men  from  days  of  old; 
Who  found  it  not,  but  readily  confessed, 
As  pilgrims  here,  they  sought  a  promised  rest. 
Hear  Abel  groan,  as  first  he  yields  to  death. 
And  is  succeeded  by  his  brother  Seth ; 
He  dies  in  faith  to  wait  till  Christ  appears; 
To  rise  and  reign  with  him  a  thousand  years. 
Hear  Enoch  too,  the  wondrous  scene  foretell 
While  future  glories  did  his  bosom  swell; 
The  vail  was  rent,  while  wonders  strange  and  new 
Before  him  rose,  and  opened  to  his  view. 

3 


26  THE     MILLENNIUM. 

Long,  long  he  heard  the  earth  in  anguish  mourn; 
Saw  heaven  weep,  while  oft  his  bowels  yearn'd; 
While  all  eternity,  with  pain  beheld 
The  scenes  of  sorrow  which  his  bosom  swell'd : 
He  saw  the  Lamb  on  Calvary  expire, 
While  rocks  were  rent,  and  cities  wrapt  in  fire ; 
He  saw  him  burst  the  tomb,  and  mount  on  high 
Enthroned  in  glory  'mid  the  upper  sky. 
Obtained  the  promise,  he  would  come  again 
To  earth,  in  triumph  with  his  saints  to  reign ; 
His  soul  was  glad  with  joy  he  tuned  the  lyre ; 
And  sung  the  glorious  reign  of  king  Messiah. 

Hosanna  to  the  Lamb  that  shall  be  slain; 
All  hail  the  day  when  Zion  comes  again ; 
Out  of  the  earth  the  truth  in  power  he  sends, 
While  righteousness  from  heaven  shall  descend, 
And  these  shall  sweep  the  earth. as  with  a  flood, 
To  gather  out  the  purchase  of  his  blood ; 
Unto  the  Zion  which  he  shall  prepare ; 
And  Enoch  with  his  city  meet  them  there, 
When  all  the  ransorn'd  saints  shall  join  the  lay, 
And  shout  Hosanna  in  eternal  day. 


T  H  B     M  I  L  L  E  N  \  1  U  M .  27 

Wide  o'er  the  earth,  the  Saviour's  name  extend ; 
And  peace  o'er  all  prevail  from  end  to  end. 

Thus    Enoch    sang,    while    all    the    heavenly 

choir ; 

Join'd  in  Hosanna  to  the  king  Messiah. 
Noah  too,  by  faith  beheld  the  scene  afar : 
And  as  a  type,  he  did  the  ark  prepare. 
Condemned  the  world,  by  water  overthrown. 
While  to  his  view  the  light  triumphant  shone, 
He  gazed  with  joy  on  all  the  glorious  scene, 
But   mourn'd   the   darkness   that   should   roll   be 
tween. 

Abram  with  joy  beheld  the  day  of  rest; 
When  in  his  seed  all  nations  should  be  bless'd, 
And  gladly  wandered  as  a  pilgrim  here ; 
And  fell  asleep  to  wait  till  Christ  appears — 
In  sure  and  certain  hope  to  rise  and  reign 
In  Canaan's  land,  a  right  he  had  obtained. 
Isaac  and  Jacob  had  the  glorious  view, 
Rejoiced  in  death  and  so  did  Joseph  too ; 
While  patient  Job  in  pain  look'd  far  away, 

"^Tfc 

Saw  his  Redeemer  in  the  latter  day, 


2**  THE     MILLENNIUM, 

Stand  on  the  earth,  while  he  himself  should  ri- 
And  in  the  flesh  behold  him  with  his  eyes. 
Moses  and  Joshua,  Samuel  and  Isaiah, 
Did  each  in  turn  this  solemn  truth  declare ; 
While  David  tuned  the  lyre  in  joyful  lays, 
Spake  of  Messiah's  reign,  and  sung  his  praise, 
Ezekiel,  Daniel,  Joel,  Zachariah, 
And  Malachi,  have  spoken  of  Messiah; 
When  he  should  set  his  feet  on  earth  again, 
Burn  up  the  proud,  and  o'er  the  nations  reign. 
Jesus  and  Peter,  John  and  James,  and  Paul, 
The  time  would  fail  me  here  to  mention  all ; 
Who  wrapt  in  vision  clear  in  turn  foretold, 
The  day  of  wonders  I  would  fain  unfold. 
Lehi,  Nephi,  Alma  and  Mosiah, 
Abinedi,  who  once  rejoiced  in  fire ; 
Mormon,  Moroni  and  Ether  testified ; 
For  this  they  lived,  and  in  this  faith  they  died ; 
And  all  the  saints  of  God  in  all  the  earth. 
Down  from  old  Adam  ta  the  latest  birth  ; 
And  all  the  vast  creations  which  extend, 
Through   boundless   space  till   man   can  find  no 
end, 


THE    MILLENNIUM.  29 

And  all  the  heavenly  host  around  the  throne. 
Shall  sound  his  praise  in  reverential  tone. 
Millions  unnumbered  at  his  feet  shall  fall, 
Hail  him  as  king,  and  crown  him  Lord  of  all. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH 


FROM   THE 


CREATION    TO    THE    PRESENT    DAY. 

Xn 


PART    FIRST. 

When  earth's  foundation  first  was  laid. 

The  heavens  in  order  stood; 
And  all  the  works  God's  hand  had  made. 

His  word  pronounced  good. 

But  soon  the  happy  scene  was  changed, 
For  man  to  whom  'twas  given, 

To  choose  the  way  of  life  or  death, 
Trangressed  the  law  of  heaven. 


32  HISTORICAL 

And  thus  the  evil  seed  was  sown, 
And  death  through  all  their  race ; 

In  which  creation  long  has  groaned  ; 
In  pain  to  be  released. 

'T  was  then  the  scene  of  love  began 

To  be  revealed  on  earth ; 
By  angels  borne  from  heaven  to  man 

The  gospel's  heavenly  birth. 

The  God  of  heaven  shall  send  his  son, 
For  man  to  bleed  and  die  ; 

And  rise  again  that  man  may  lise, 
And  reign  with  him  on  high. 

Repentance  and  baptism  then 
By  angels  were  revealed, 

The  holy  ghost  descending  down, 
The  heirs  of  glory  seaPd. 

Thus  men  began  to  exercise 
Their  faith  in  Jesus'  word, 

With  joy  to  embrace  the  gospel  plan, 
And  call  upon  the  Lord. 


SKETCH.  33 

But  many  then  would  not  believe, 

But  soon  forgot  the  Lord  ; 
Soon  Enoch  rose  with  mighty  power, 

Being  call'd  to  preach  the  word. 

He  preach'd  repentance  and  baptized. 

Through  all  the  happy  land, 
The  people  who  in  Zion  dwelt, 

Were  of  one  heart  and  mind. 

At  length  the  city  was  not  found, 

For  God  received  it  up  ; 
The  residue  were  left  to  drown, 

And  in  the  prison  shut. 

But  Noah  the  Eighth  was  saved  by  faith. 

When  warn'd  an  ark  to  build, 
And  seven  of  his  family, 

From  whom  the  earth  was  fill'd, 


34  HISTORICAL 


PART     SECOND. 

Again  the  nations  left  the  Lord 
To  worship  stocks  and  stones, 

Forgot  the  wonders  of  the  flood, 
And  sunk  in  darkness  down  ; 

And  then  again  was  God  reveal'd 

To  Abram,  his  friend, 
Called  him  to  leave  his  house  and  home, 

To  view  a  chosen  land. 

To  thee  and  to  thy  seed,  he  said, 

I  give  this  blessed  land, 
Though  like  the  stars  for  multitude, 

And  numerous  as  the  sand. 

But  Abraham  died  a  stranger  in 
The  land  'twas  to  him  given, 

Nor  Owned  a  place  to  set  his  foot, 
On  it  beneath  the  heaven. 


SKETCH. 

His  seed  possessed  it  for  a  while, 
-  Became  a  sinful  host ; 
And  then  ten  tribes  were  led  away. 
And  to  our  knowledge  lost. 

From  time  to  time  were  led  away, 

Of  Israel's  chosen  seed, 
Dispersed  o'er  islands  of  the  sea, 

As  all  the  prophets  read. 

And  thus  the  ages  rolled  away, 
The  appointed  time  drew  near, 

As  all  the  prophets  had  declared 
That  Christ  must  soon  appear, 

John,  like  a  bright  and  morning  star 
Rose  to  prepare  his  way, 

Proclaimed  repentance,  and  baptized 
Whoever  would  obev. 


Whoever  would  obey. 


The  son  of  God  at  length  appeared, 
And  was  baptized  by  John, 

The  Father  sent  the  spirit  down 
And  owned  him  for  his  son. 


36  HI  ST  O  RI  C  AL 

He  to  his  own  the  gospel  preached, 

His  own  received  him  not, 
Despised  all  his  mighty  works. 

And  counted  him  as  naught. 

At  length  their  Lord  they  crucified. 

While  nature  stood  amazed, 
The  solid  rocks  in  sunder  rent, 

While  Jew  and  Gentile  gazed. 

But  soon  the  third  bright  morn  appeared, 
When,  rising  from  the  dead. 

To  his  disciples  he  appeared 
And  thus  unto  them  said : 

PART    T  fi  r  R  D  . 
Go  ye,  and  preach  in  all  the  world, 

Baptizing  in  my  name, 
He  that  believes  and  is  baptized 

Salvation  shall  obtain. 

Then  rising  from  Mount  Olivet 

Unto  his  Fathers  throne. 
On  high  to  reign  until  he  claims 

The  kingdoms  for  his  own. 


SKETCH.  37 

His  servants  then,  in  mighty  power. 

Soon  made  his  gospel  known, 
The  Jews  reject  while  Gentiles  come. 

And  glad  their  Saviour  own. 

The  Jews  dispersed  through  all  the  earth, 

Jerusalem  trodden  down, 
In  desolation  long  has  lain, 

And  cursed  has  been  the  ground. 

The  Gentile  churches  for  a  while 

Produced  the  natural  fruit, 
Being  grafted  in  the  natural  vine. 

Partaking  of  the  root. 

But  soon  the  fruit  became  corrupt. 

By  flatteries  and  lies, 
Teachers  in  pride  were  puffed  up. 

The  simple  truth  despised. 

Great  Babylon  at  length  arose. 

In  mighty  power  to  reign, 
Nations  and  kings  became  corrupt, 

And  many  saints  were  slain. 
4 


38  HISTORICAL 

The  scriptures  of  their  plainness  robbed, 
And  mystery  thrown  around, 

That  men  might  sup  her  golden  cup, 
And  all  true  knowledge  drown. 

Thus  generations  long  have  passed, 

And  age  on  ages  rolled, 
The  latter  day  approaching  fast, 

Its  glories  to  unfold. 


Our  fathers  of  the  Gentile  race 
Traversed  the  western  main, 

And  found  a  wide  extended  land, 
Of  valley,  hill,  and  plain. 

This  land  was  peopled  with  a  race, 
Which  long  had  dwelt  alone, 

No  record  nor  tradition  traced 
Their  origin  unknown. 

The  Lord  in  mercy  has  disclosed 
The  truth  so  long  concealed, 

The  record  found  beneath  the  ground 
Has  glorious  things  revealed. 


CHARITY     AND     TRUE     PATRIOTISM. 

This  is  the  land  which  Moses  blessed, 

To  Joseph  and  his  seed ; 
These  are  the  everlasting  hills, 

*T  was  for  his  bounds  decreed. 


CHARITY  AND  TRUE  PATRIOTISM. 

Behold  the  man  whose  tender  heart 
Expanded  with  a  Saviour's  love, 

Wide  as  eternity  expands, 

His  bowels  with  compassion  move. 

He  looks  on  Zion  from  afar, 

He  hears  the  captive  exiles  groan, 

Then  leaves  his  wife  and  children  dear, 
His  brethren  and  his  peaceful  home, 

And  hastens  at  his  Lord's  command 
To  call  his  brethren  from  afar, 

As  volunteers  for  Zion's  land, 

That  in  her  sorrows  they  may  share. 


DISPENSATION,    &.  C, 

He  dare  assert  her  injured  cause, 

And  sound  the  trump  of  freedom  when 

They  trample  on  his  country's  laws, 
And  disregard  both  God  and  man, 

His  distant  brethren  hear  the  sound, 
And  rise  to  march  to  Zion's  land ; 

Behold  the  armies  gathering  round 
Against  the  powers  of  hell  to  stand. 

The  little  stone  beg'ns  to  T  oil, 
It  shall  prevail  and  never  cease, 

But  fill  the  earth  from  pole  to  pole 
With  freedom,  union,  love  and  peace* 


THE  OPENING  OF  THE  DISPENSATION 
OF  THE  FULNESS  OF  TIMES. 

When  earth  in  bondage  long  had  lain, 
And  darkness  o'er  the  nations  reigned, 
And  all  man's  precepts  proved  in  vain,. 
A  perfect  system  to  obtain : 


&I&PENSATION,    A;  C .  41 

A  voice  commissioned  from  on  high ; 
Hark,  hark,  it  is  the  angel's  cry, 
Descending  from  the  throne  of  light, 
His  garments  shining  clear  and  white. 

He  comes  the  gospel  to  reveal 
In  fulness,  to  the  sons  of  men ; 
Lo  1  from  Cumorah's  lonely  hill, 
There  comes  a  record  of  God's  will! 

Translated  by  the  power  of  God, 
His  voice  bears  record  to  his  word ; 
Again  an  angel  did-appear, 

As  witnesses  do  record  bear. 

/ 

Restored  the  priesthood,  long  since  lost, 
In  truth  and  power  as  at  the  first , 
Thus  men  commissioned  from  on  high, 
Came  forth  and  did  repentance  cry. 

Baptizing  those  who  did  believe, 
That  they  the  spirit  might  receive, 
In  fullness  as  in  days  of  old, 

And  have  one  shepherd  and  one  fold. 
4* 


D  I  S  P  E  N  3  A  T  I  O  N.   &  C. 


SECOND 

Ye  Gentile  nations,  cease  your  strife, 
And  listen  to  the  words  of  life  ; 
Turn  from  your  sins  with  one  accord, 
Prepare  to  meet  your  coming  Lord. 

Let  Judah's  remnants  far  and  near 
The  glorious  proclamation  hear, 
For  Israel  and  the  Gentiles  too, 
The  way  to  Zion  shall  pursue. 

Their  voices  and  their  tongues  employ 
In  songs  of  everlasting  joy ; 
The  mountains  and  the  hills  rejoice, 
Let  all  creation  hear  his  voice. 

From  north  to  south,  from  east  to  west, 
In  thee  all  nations  shall  be  blessed, 
When  Abram  and  his  seed  shall  stand 
Unnumbered  on  the  promised  land. 


MINISTRY    TO    THE    NEPHITES.  43 


CHRIST'S  MINISTRY  TO  THE  NEPHITES. 

The  solid  rocks  were  rent  in  twain, 
Whon  Christ  the  Lamb  of  God  was  slain; 
The  sun  in  darkness  veiled  his  face, 
The  mountains  moved  and  left  their  place. 

And  all  creation  groaned  in  pain 

Till  the  Messiah  rose  again ; 

When  earth  did  cease  her  dreadful  groans, 

The  sun  unveiled  his  face  and  shone ; 

The  righteous  that  were  spared  alive, 
With  joy  and  wonder  did  believe, 
And  soon  together  they  convened 
Conversing  on  the  things  they'd  seen  t 

Which  had  been  given  for  a  sign, 
When  lo,  they  heard  a  voice  divine, 
-And  as  the  heavenly  voice  they  heard 
The  Lord  of  glory  soon  appeared. 


44  MINISTRY    TO    THE    N  E  P  II  I  T  E  B. 


SECOND    PART. 

With  joy  and  wonder  all  amazed, 
Upon  "their  glorious  Lord  they  gazed. 
And  wist  not  what  the  vision  meant 
But  thought  it  was  an  angel  sent. 

While  in  their  midst  he  si  riling  stood. 
Proclaimed  himself  the  son  of  God, 
He  said  come  forth  and  feel  and  see. 
That  you  may  witness  bear  of  me. 

And  when  they  all  had  felt  and  seen 
Where  once  the  nails  and  spear  had  been, 
Hosanna  they  aloud  proclaimed, 
And  blessed  and  praised  his  holy  name, 

He  then  proceeded  to  make  plain 
His  gospel  to  the  sons  of  men, 
The  prophecies  he  did  unfold, 
Yea,  things  that  were  in  days  of  old. 


MINISTRY     TO     THE     N  E  P  H  I  T  E  S  *  45 

And  every  thing  that  should  transpire 
Till  element  should  melt  with  fire, 
( 'Ommanding  them  for  to  record 
The  sayings  of  their  risen  Lord ; 

That  generation  should  be  blessed, 
And  with  him  in  his  kingdom  rest; 
But,  O  !  what  scenes  of  sorrow  rolled 
When  he  the  future  did  unfold ! 


PART     THIRD. 

Four  generations  should  not  pass 
Until  they'd  turn  from  righteousness, 
The  Nephite  nation  be  destroyed ! 
The  Lamanites  reject  his  word, 

The  gospel  taken  from  their  midst, 
The  record  of  their  fathers  hid, 
They  dwindle  long  in  unbelief, 
And  ages  pass  without  relief. 


4G          MINISTRY     TO     THE     NEPHITES. 

Until  the  Gentiles  from  afar, 
Should  smite  them  in  a  dreadful  war. 
And  take  possession  of  their  land, 
And  they  should  have  no  power  to  stand. 

But  as  their  remnants  wander  far, 
In  darkness,  sorrow  and  despair, 
Lo !  from  the  earth  their  record  comes 
To  gather  Israel  to  their  homes. 

First  to  the  Gentiles  'tis  revealed, 
The  prophecy  must  be  fulfilled ; 
That  they  may  know  and  understand 
His  gospel,  and  no  more  contend. 

Hear !  O  ye  Gentiles,  and  repent, 
To  you  is  this  salvation  sent ; 
God  to  the  Gentiles  lifts  his  hand, 
To  gather  Israel  to  their  land. 


THENEPUITES.  47 


THE  NEPHITES,  LAMANITES  AND  GEN- 
TILES. 

O  who  that  has  search'd  in  the  records  of  old, 
And  read  the  last  scenes  of  distress ; 

Four   and   twenty  were  left  who  with  Mormon 

beheld, 
While  their  nation  lay  mouldering  to  dust. 

x 

The  Nephites  destroyed,  the  Lamanites  dwelt, 

For  ages  in  sorrow  unknown ; 
Generations  have  pass'd,  till  the  Gentiles  at  last, 

Have  divided  their  lands  as  their  own. 

O,  who  that  has  seen  o'er  the  wide  spreading  plain 

The  Lamanites  wander  forlorn, 
While  the  Gentiles  in  pride  and  oppression  divide 

The  land  they  could  once  call  their  own. 


48  T  II  E     N  E  P  II  I  T  E  S . 

And  who  that  believes  does  not  long  for  the  hour 
When  sin  and  oppression  shall  cease, 

And  truth,  like  the  rainbow,  display  through  the 

shower, 
That  bright  written  promise  of  peace. 

O,  thou  afflicted  and  sorrowful  race, 

The  days  of  thy  sorrow  shall  end  ; 
The  Lord  has  pronounced  you  a  remnant  of  His, 

Descended  from  Abram  his  friend. 

Thy  stones  with  fair  colors  most  glorious   shall 
stand, 

And  sapphires  all  shining  around  ; 
Thy  windows  of  agates  in  this  glorious  land, 

And  thy  gates  with  carbuncles  abound. 

With  songs  of  rejoicing  to  Zion  return, 

And  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  ; 
The  powers  of  heaven  among  you  come  down. 

And  Christ  in  the  centre  will  be. 


THE     HARMONY     OF     NATURE. 

And  then  all  the  watchmen  shall  see  eye  to  eye, 
When  the  Lord  shall  bring  Zion  again  ; 

The  wolf  and  the  kid  down  together  shall  lie. 
And  the  lion  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb. 

The  earth  shall  be  filled  with  knowledge  of  God, 

And  nothing  shall  hurt  or  destroy, 
And  these  are  the  tidings  we  have  to  proclaim, — 

Glad  tidings  abounding  with  joy. 


THE  HARMONY  OF  NATURE,  OR  FREE- 
DOM,  PEACE,  AND  LOVE. 

Hark !  listen  to  the  gentle  breeze, 
O'er  hill  or  valley,  plain  or  grove, 

It  whispers  in  the  ears  of  man, 

The  voice  of  freedom,  peace  and  love. 

The  flowers  that  bloom  o'er  all  the  land. 
In  harmony  and  order  stand, 
Nor  hatred,  pride  or  etfvy  know, 

In  freedom,  peace  and  love  they  grow. 
5 


THE     HARMONY     OP     NATURE. 

The  birds  their  numerous  notes  resound, 
In  songs  of  praise  the  earth  around, 
Their  voices  and  their  tongues  employ, 
In  songs  of  freedom,  love  and  joy. 

And  then  behold  the  crystal  stream, 
With  multitudes  of  fishes  teem ; 
In  silent  joy  they  live  and  move, 
In  freedom,  union,  peace  and  love. 


SECOND     PART. 

The  mountains  high,  the  rivers  clear, 
Where  heaven  sheds  her  dews  and  tears, 
In  silence,  or  with  gentle  roar, 
The  God  of  love  and  peace  adore. 

The  earth,  and  air,  and  sea,  and  sky , 
The  holy  spirit  from  on  high, 
And  angels  who  above  do  reign, 
Cry  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men. 


INHERITANCE     OP     THE    SAINTS.          ")  i 

But  most  of  all  a  Saviour's  love, 
Was  manifested  from  above, 
He  died  and  rose  to  life  again, 
Our  freedom,  love  and  peace  to  gain. 

But  man, — vile  man,  alone  seems  lost. 
With  hatred,  pride  and  envy  tossed, 
His  hardened  soul  does  seldom  move. 
In  freedom,  union,  peace  or  love. 

For  him,  let  all  creation  mourn ; 
O'er  him  did  Enoch's  bosom  yearn, 
Till  he  was  promised  from  above, 
A  day  of  freedom,  peace  and  love. 


INHERITANCE  OF.  THE  SAINTS. 

"  Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

This  earth  shall  be  a  blessed  place, 

To  saints  celestial  given  ; 
Where  Christ  again  shall  show  his  face. 
With  the  redeemed  of  Adam's  race. 

In  clouds  descend  from  heaven. 


52       INHERITANCE     OF     THE     SAINTS. 

Yes,  when  he  comes  on  earth  again, 

The  wicked  burn  as  stubble ; 
Thus  all  his  enemies  are  slain, 
And  o'er  the  nations  he  shall  reign, 
And  end  the  scenes  of  trouble. 

The  trump  of  war  is  heard  no  more, 

But  all  their  strife  is  ended  ; 
While  Jesus  shall  all  things  restore 
To  order,  as  they  were  before, 
And  peace  o'er  all  extended. 

Sing,  O  ye  heavens  !  let  earth  rejoice, 

While  saints  shall  flow  to  Zion, 
And  rear  the  temple  of  his  choice, 
And  in  its  courts  unite  their  voice, 
In  praise  to  Judah's  Lion. 

Hosanna  to  the  reign  of  peace  ! 

The  day  so  long  expected; 
When  earth  shall  find  a  full  release, 
The  groanings  of  creation  cease, 

The  righteous  well  protected. 


REDEMPTION     OF     ZIOX, 

Come,  sound  his  praise  in  joyful  strains, 

Who  dwell  beneath  his  banner; 
He'll  bind  old  Satan  fast  in  chains. 
And  wide  o'er  earth's  extended  plains. 
The  nations  shout  Hosanna. 


REDEMPTION  OF  ZION. 

Lo,  far  in  the  realms  of  Misssouri, 
When  peace  crowns  the  meek  and  the  lowly. 
The  loud  storms  of  envy  and  folly 
May  roll  all  their  billows  in  vain. 

The  wicked,  with  evil  intention, 
May  rouse  all  their  powers  of  invention, 
With  lying,  intrigue  and  contention, 
Their  end  will  be  sorrow  and  pain. 

The  saints,  crowned  with  songs  of  rejoicing. 
To  Zion  shall  flow  from  all  nations. 
Escaping  the  great  conflagration, 
They  find  out  the  regions  of  peace. 


54  REDEMPTION     OP     Z  J,O  N  . 

Though  scattered  and  driven  asunder, 
As  exiles  and  pilgrims  to  wander, 
A  scene  on  which  angels  do  ponder, 
Yet  Jesus  will  bring  their  release. 

When  empires  of  Babel  shall  tumble, 
Their  fabrics  in  ashes  shall  crumble, 
The  Lord  will  provide  for  the  humble 
A  city  of  refuge  and  peace. 

There,  there  the  Lord  will  deliver 
The  soul  of  each  faithful  believer, 
And  save  them  forever  and  ever, 
And  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  cease, 

The  saints  for  those  blessings  aspire, 
And  wait  with  exceeding  desire, 
Till  earth  shall  be  cleansed  by  fire, 
And  they  their  inheritance  gain. , 

Hosanna,  such  blessings  inspire 
A  song  from  the  heavenly  choir, 
They  sing  of  the  coming  Messiah, 
From  heaven  in  glory  to  reign. 


REFLECTIONS    ON    A    SUMMER    EVENING.  55 


REFLECTIONS  ON  A  SUMMER  EVENING. 

Another  day  has  fled  and  gone, 
The  sun  declines  in  western  skies, 

The  birds  retired,  have  ceased  their  song, 
Let  ours  in  pure  devotion  rise. 

The  moon  her  splendid  course  resumes, 
She  sheds  her  light  o'er  land  and  sea, 

The  gentle  dews  in  soft  perfumes 
Fall  sweetly  o'er  each  herb  and  tree. 

While  here  in  meditation  sweet, 
Those  happy  hours  I  call  to  mind, 

When  with  the  saints  I  oft  have  met, 
Our  hearts  in  pure  devotion  joined. 

Those  friends  afar  I  call  to  mind, 
When  shall  we  meet  again  below ; 

Their  hearts  affectionate  and  kind, 

How  did  they  soothe  my  grief  and  woe. 


5fi  MISSION      OF     THE     T  W  E  L  V  E  e 

As  flow'rets  in  their  brightest  bloom. 
Are  withered  by  the  chilling  blast. 

So  man's  fond  hopes  are  like  a  dream, 
His  days  how  fleet,  how  swift  they  pass. 

But  cease  this  melancholy  moan, 

Nor  sigh  for  those  who  will  not  come. 

For  Israel  surely  will  return 
To  Zion  and  Jerusalem, 

There  is  a  source  of  pure  delight 
For  ever  shall  support  my  heart ; 

For  Zion's  land's  revealed  to  sight. 

Where  saints  will  meet  no  more  to  part. 


MISSION  OF  THE  TWELVE. 

How  fleet  the  precious  moments  roll, 
How  soon  the  harvest  will  be  o'er : 

The  watchmen  seek  their  final  rest. 
And  lift  a  warning  voice  no  more. 


MISSION     OP     THE     TWELVE.  57 

Another  year  has  roll'd  away 

And  took  its  thousands  to  the  tomb; 

Its  sorrows  and  its  joys  are  fled, 
To  hasten  on  the  general  doom. 

And  eighteen  hundred  thirtyfive. 

Is  rolling  swiftly  on  the  wing, 
And  soon  the  leaves  and  tendrils  thrive  ; 

A  token  of  returning  spring. 

The  fulness  of  the  gospel  shines 
With  glorious  and  resplendent  rays ; 

The  earth  and  heav'ns  show  forth  their  signs. 
As  tokens  of  the  latter  days. 


SECOND    PART. 

Ye  chosen  twelve,  to  you  are  given, 
The  keys  of  this  last  ministry — 

To  every  nation  under  heaven, 
From  land  to  land,  from  sea  to  sea. 


MISSIO5?    OP     THF     TWELVE. 

First  to  the  Gentiles  sound  the  news 
Throughout  Columbia's  happy  land, 

And  then  before  it  reach  the  Jews, 
Prepare  on  Europe's  shores  to  stand. 

Let  Europe's  towns  and  cities  hear 
The  gospel  tidings  angels  bring ; 

The  Gentile  nations  far  and  near, 

Prepare  their  hearts  His  praise  to  sing. 

India's  and  Afric's  sultry  plains 

Must  hear  the  tidings  as  they  roll — 

Where  darkness,  death  and  sorrow  reign, 
And  tyranny  has  long  controlled. 

Listen,  ye  islands  of  the  sea — 

For  every  isle  shall  hear  the  sound : 

Nations  and  tongues  before  unknown, 

Though  long  since  lost,  shall  soon  be  found. 

• 
And  then  again  shall  Asia  hear, 

Where  angels  first  the  news  proclaimed; 
Eternity  shall  record  bear, 

And  earth  repeat  the  loud,  Amen. 


FAREWELL.  59 


The  nations  catch  the  pleasing  sound, 
And  Jew  and  Gentile  swell  the  strain, 

Hosanna  o'er  the  earth  resound, 
Messiah  then  wi!i  come  to  reign. 


FAREWELL. 

Farewell,  my  kind  and  faithful  friend — 
The  partner  of  my  early  youth, 

While  from  my  home  my  steps  1  bend, 
To  warn  mankind  and  teach  the  truth. 

How  oft  in  silent  evening  mild, 
I  to  some  lonely  place  retire — 

Thy  love  and  kindness  call  to  mind, 
Then  lift  a  voice  in  humble  prayer. 

O  Lord,  extend  thine  arms  of  love, 
Around  the  partner  of  my  heart, 

For  thou  hast  spoken  from  above, 
And  called  me  with  my  all  to  part. 


60  FAREWELL* 

Preserve  her  soul  in  perfect  peace, 
From  sickness,  sorrow  and  distress, 

Until  our  pilgrimage  shall  cease. 
And  we  on  Zion's  hill  shall  rest. 

How  gladly  would  my  soul  retire 
With  thee,  to  spend  a  peaceful  life, 

In  some  sequestered  humble  vale, 
Far  from  the  scenes  of  noise  and  strife. 


Where  men  should  grieve  our  souls  no  more, 
Nor  rage  of  sin  disturb  our  peace  ; 

Our  troubles,  toils  and  sufferings  o'er, 
Their  lies  and  persecutions  cease. 


PART     SECOND. 

But  lo  !  the  harvest  wide  extends— 
The  fields  are  white  o'er  all  the  plain- 

The  tares  in  bundles  must  be  bound, 
While  we  with  care  secure  the  grain. 


BARE  WELL.  61 

Shall  we  repine  when  Jesus  calls, 

Or  count  the  sacrifice  too  great, 
To  spend  our  lives  as  pilgrims  here, 

Or  loose  them  for  the  gospel's  sake? 

When  Jesus  Christ  has  done  the  same, 

Without  a  place  to  lay  his  head, 
A  pilgrim  on  the  earth  he  came, 

Until  for  us  his  blood  was  shed. 

Shall  we  behold  the  nations  doomed 
To  sword  and  famine,  blood  and  fire, 

Yet  not  the  least  exertion  make, 
But  from  the  scene  in  peace  retire  ? 

No ;  while  his  love  for  me  extends, 
The  pattern  makes  my  duty  plain — 

I'll  sound  to  earth's  remotest  ends, 
His  gospel  to  the  sons  of  men ! 

Farewell,  my  kind  and  faithful  friend, 

Until  we  meet  on  earth  again  — 
For  soon  our  pilgrimage  shall  end, 

And  the  Messiah  come  to  reign. 
6 


62  REFLECTIONS. 


REFLECTIONS. 

IN    PRISON,    APRIL,     1839. 


O  freedom,  must  thy  spirit  now  withdraw 
From  earth,  returning  to  its  native  heaven, 
There  to  dwell,  till  armed  with  sevenfold  vengence 
It  comes  again  to  earth  with  king  Messiah, 
And  all  his  marshalled  hosts  in  glory  bright, 
To  tread  the  winepress  of  Almighty  God, 
And  none  escape? — ye  powers  of  heaven  forbid; — 
Let  freedom  linger  still  on  shores  of  time, 
And  in  the  breasts  of  thine  afflicted  saints, 
Let  freedom  find  a  peaceful  retirement, — 
A  place  of  rest; — till  o'er  the  troubled  earth — 
Mercy,  justice,  and  eternal  truth, 
While  journeying  hand  in  hand  to  exalt  the  humble 
And  debase  the  proud,  shall  find  some  nation 


REFLECTIONS.  63 

Poor,  oppressed,  afflicted  and  despised,- 

Cast  out  and  trodden  under  foot  of  tyrants 

Proud,  the   hiss,  the  bye-word,  and   the   scorn  of 

knaves : — 

And  there  let  freedom's  spirit  wide  prevail. 
And  grow,  and  flourish — 'mid  the  humble  poor, 
Exhalted  and  enriched  by  virtue, 
Knowledge,    temperance,    and  love — till  o'er  the 

earth 

Messiah  comes  to  reign ; — the  proud  consumed, 
No  more  oppress  the  poor. — 
Let  Freedom's  eagle  then,  (forthcoming,  like 
The  Dove  from  Noah's  Ark)  on  lofty  pinions  soar, 
And  spread  its  wide  domain  from  end  to  end, 
O'er  all  the  vast  expanse  of  this  wide  earth, — 
While  freedom's  Temple  rears  its  lofty  spires 
Amid  the  skies,  and  on  its  bosom  rests ! 
A  cloud  by  day  and  flaming  fire  by  night ! ! 

But  stay,  my  spirit,  though  thou  feign  would'st 

soar 

On  high  ;  mid  scenes  of  glory,  peace  and  joy  ; 
From  bondage  free,  and  bid  thy  jail  farewell : — 


REFLECTIONS. 


Stop, — wait  awhile, — let  patience  have  her  perfect 

work, 

Return  again  to  suffering  scenes  through  which 
The  way  to  glory  lies ;  and  speak  of  things 
Around  thee, — thou  art  in  prison  still. 

But  spring  has  now  returned,  the  wintry  blasts 
Have  ceased  to  howl  through  my  prison  crevices. 

The  soft  and  gentle  breezes  of  the  south 
Are  whistling  gayly  past ;  and  incense  sweet 
On  zephyr's  wing,  with  fragrance  fills  the  air, 
Wafted  from  blooming  flowrets  of  the  spring ; 
While  round  my  lonely  dungeon  oft  is  heard 
Melodious  strains  as  if  the  birds  of  spring 
In  anthems  sweet  conspired  to  pity  and 
Console  the  drooping  spirits  there  confined. 

All  things  around  me  show  that  days,  and  weeks, 
And  months  have  fled,  although  to  me  not  mark'd 
By  sabbaths — and  but  faintly  mark'd  by  dim 
And  sombre  rays  of  light  alternate  mid 
The  gloom  of  overhanging  night  which  still 
Pervades  my  drear  and  solitary  cell. 
Where  now  those  helpless  ones  I  left  to  mourn  ? 


REFLECTIONS.  65 

Have  they  perished?  no. — what  then! — has  so  in  a 
Elijah  call'd  and  found  them  in  the  last 
Extreme,  and  multiplied  their  meal  and  oil  ? 
Yes,  verily, — the  Lord  has  fill'd  the  hearts 
Of  his  poor  saints  with  everlasting  love, 
Which,  in  proportion  to  their  poverty, 
Increased  with  each  increasing  want,  till  all 
Reduced  unto  the  widow's  mite  and  then 
Like  her,  their  living  they  put  in,  and  thus 
O'erflowed  the  treasury  of  the  Lord  with  more 
Abundant  stores  than  all  the  wealth  of  kings. 
And  thus  supported,  fed,  and  clothed;  and  moved 
From  scenes  of  sorrow  to  a  land  of  peace — 
They  live ! — and  living  still  they  do  rejoice 
In  tribulation  deep: 
Well  knowing  their  redemption  draweth  nigh ! 


66  THE    FALLS    OF    NIAGARA. 


THE  FALLS  OF  NIAGARA. 

WRITTEN    IN    PRISON. 

Boast  not,  O  proud  Niagara  !  although 
Thou  mayest  withstand  the  ravages  of  time, 
While  countless  millions  swept  away  with  all 
Their  mighty  works,  are  lost  in  following  years : 
Yet  there  is  a  voice  to  speak,  long  and  loud ! 
?Tis  Michael's  trump,  whose  mighty  blast  shall  rend 
Thy  rocks,  and  bow  thy  lofty  mountains  in  the 

dust. 

Before  whose  awful  presence  thy  waters 
Blush  in  retiring  modesty ;  and  in 
Respectful  silence  thou  shalt  stand,  and  listening, 
Wonder  and  admire,  while  thunders  roll 
Majestic  round  the  sky ; — the  lightnings  play, — 
The  mountains  sink, —  the  valleys  rise, — till  earth, 


SPRING.  67 

Restored  to  its  original — receives 

Its  final  rest,  and  groans  and  sighs  no  more. 

Till  then  weep  on,  and  let  thy  voice  ascend, 

In  solemn  music  to  the  skies  ; — it  is 

A  funeral  dirge, — thou  weepest  o'er  the  miseries 

Of  a  fallen  world — in  anguish  deep. 


SPRING. 

WRITTEN  IN   PRISON,  APRIL,   1839. 

See  nature  bursting  into  life  and  bloom : 
Joyous,  it  rises  from  its  wintry  tomb, 
Decked  in  pure  robes  of  purple,  white,  or  green: 
Perfumed  with  incense  sweet — O  lovely  scene ! 
Melodious  sounds,  with  music  soft  and  sweet, 
Thrill  through  the  air — thy  joyous  presence  greet. 
Behold,  O  Mary  !  and  remember  too, 
There  is  a  spring  to  bloom  for  me  and  you  ; — 
We,  like  the  spring,  shall  burst  the  sullen  gloom, 


SIGNS      OF      THE      TIMES. 

All  clothed  in  white — eternally  to  bloom. 
We  too,  will  join  the  choir  his  praise  to  sing, 
And  hail  the  welcome  of  Eternal  Spring. 


SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

WRITTEN    IN    PRISON. 

Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  scattered  saints, 

Redemption  draweth  nigh  ; 
Our  Saviour  hears  the  orphans'  plaints'; 

The  widow's  mournful  cry. 

The  blood  of  those  who  have  been  slain 

For  vengeance  cries  aloud : 
Nor  shall  its  cries  ascend  in  vain, 

For  vengeance  on  the  proud. 

The  signs  in  heaven  and  earth  appear ; 

And  blood,  and  smoke,  and  fire ; 
Men's  hearts  are  failing  them  for  fear  ; 
*  Redemption's  drawing  nigher. 


SIGNS      OF      THE      TIMES.  69 

Earthquakes  are  bellowing  'neath  the  ground, 
And  tempests  through  the  air ; — 

The  trumpet's  blast  with  fearful  sound, 
Proclaims  the  alarm  of  war. 

The  saints  are  scattered  to  and  fro, 

Through  all  the  earth  abroad; 
The  gospel  trump  again  to  blow, 

And  then  behold  their  God. 

Rejoice,  ye  servants  of  our  God, 

Who  to  the  end  endure  ; 
Rejoice,  for  great  is  your  reward, 

And  your  defence  is  sure. 

.  Although  this  body  should  be  slain 

By  cruel,  wicked  hands ; 
I'll  praise  my  God  fh  higher  strains, 

And  on  Mount  Zion  stand. 

Glory  to  God,  ye  saints  rejoice, 

And  sigh  and  groan  no  more ; 
But  listen  to  the  spirit's  voice  ; 

Redemption's  at  the  door. 


70  BIRTHDAY      IN      PRISON. 


BIRTHDAY 

•IN    PRISON,    APRIL    12.    1839. 

This  is  the  day  that  gave  me  birth 
In  eighteen  hundred  seven  ; 

From  worlds  unseen  I  came  to  earth, 
Far  from  my  native  heaven. 

Thirty  and  two  long  years  have  pass'd, 
To  grief  and  sorrow  given  ; 

And  now  to  crown  my  woes  at  last 
I  am  confined  in  prison. 

'Tis  not  for  crimes  that  I  have  done 
That  to  my  foes  I'm  given, 

But  to  the  world  I  am  unknown, 
And  my  reward's  in  heaven. 


BIRTHDAY      IN      PRISON.  71 

What  troubled  scenes  may  yet  ensue 
To  strew  my  path  with  sorrow, 

Is  not  for  me  to  know,  'tis  true, 
I  boast  not  of  to-morrow. 

One  thing  is  sure,  this  life  at  best 

Is  like  a  troubled  ocean ; 
I  often  wish  myself  at  rest 

From  all  its  dire  commotion. 

But  let  its  troubled  bosom  heave, 

Its  surges  beat  around  me ; 
To  truth,  eternal  truth,  I  cleave, 

Its  floods  can  never  drown  me. 


Z  I  O  N      IN      CAPTIVITY. 


ZION  IN  CAPTIVITY. 

A    LAMENTATION. 
WRITTEN  IN  PRISON. 

Torn  from  our  friends  and  captive  led, 
'Mid  armed  legions  bound  in  chains, 

That  peace  for  which  our  fathers  bled 
Is  gone,  and  dire  confusion  reigns. 

Zion,  our  peaceful  happy  home, 

Where  oft  we  joined  in  praise  and  prayer, 
A  desolation  has  become, 

And  grief  and  sorrow  linger  there. 

Her  virgins  sigh,  her  widows  mourn, 
Her  children  for  their  parents  weep ; 

In  chains  her  priests  and  prophets  groan, 
While  some  in  deaths  cold  arms  do  sleep. 


ZION     IN      CAPTIVITY. 

Exultingly  her  savage  foes 

Now  ravage,  steal  and  plunder,  where 
A  virgin's  tears,  a  widow's  woes, 

Became  their  song  of  triumph  there. 

How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  forsake 
The  saints  who  tremble  at  thy  word  ? 

Awake,  O  arm  of  God,  awake — 
And  teach  the  nations  thou  art  God. 

Descend  with  all  thy  holy  throng, 

The  year  of  thy  redeem'd  bring  near ; 

Haste — haste  the  day  of  vengeance  on — 
Bid  Zion's  children  dry  their  tears. 

Deliver,  Lord,  thy  captive  saints, 

And  comfort  those  who  long  have  rnourn'd ; 
Bid  Zion  cease  her  dire  complaints. 

And  all  creation  cease  to  groan. 


OUR     COUNTRY, 


OUR  COUNTRY. 

AN    EXTRACT. 
WRITTEN  IN  PRISON. 

Here  nature  too,  her  grandest  works  display ; 
Sublimest  themes  inspire  the  Poet's  lays, 
As  if  creative  power  in  skill  progressed, 
As  onward  still  it  moved  towards  the  west. 

Till  here  it  finished  with  a  master  hand 
Its  mightiest  works — to  excel  all  other  lands. 
In  awful  majesty  our  mountains  rise, 
O'erlook  the  clouds,  and  tower  amid  the  skies, 
Their  lofty  summits  bid  defiance  bold, 
They  fear  no  rival  heights  in  older  worlds. 

'Tis  true  Himmaleh,  (Asia's  highest  peak,) 
Has  dared  with  Chimborazo  to  compete ; 


OURCOUNTRY.  75 

But  then  our  rocky  summits — scarce  explored 
Some  nameless  rival  heights  may  yet  atfbrd ; 
Whose  towering  pride  shall  seize  the  starry  crown, 
And  cast  Himmaleh,  humbled,  to  the  ground. 

Our  proud  volcanoes,  belching  forth  their  flames, 
With  smoke  and  lava,  overwhelm  the  plains  ; 
Their  lightnings  play — their  awful  thunders  roar, 
Convulse  the  earth  and  sea  from  shore  to  shore. 
Among  them  Cotopaxi's  awful  voice 
Would  silence  Etna, — drown  Vesuvius'  noise ; 
While  Europe  wondering  listens  to  admire 
The  power  superior  of  Columbia's  fires. 

Our  lakes,  like  inland  seas  expanding  wide, 

Have  not  a  parallel  on  earth  beside. 

Ontario,  Erie,  Huron,  Michigan, 

And  vast  Superior  form  the  mighty  plan, 

Their  waves  like  oceans  wash  the  verdant  shore, 

In  western  wilds  too  boundless  to  explore. 

Can  Europe,  Africa,  or  Asia  boast 

A  lake  compared  with  these  in  all  their  coasts? 


7 f  >  OUR     COUNTRY. 

Our  rivers  too,  pursue  their  lengthened  way, 
From  far  uiT  mountains  to  the  distant  sea, 
Through  fertile  vales, — the  flowery  meads  along, 
And  chiming  still  their  gently  murmuring  song ; 
Receiving  grateful  tribute  as  they  run. 
From  thousand  streams  all  mingling  into  one. 

Lo  I  wild  Missouri's  waters  have  their  source 
In  unknown  regions  to  the  west  and  north, 
From  limpid  lakes  or  from  the  mountain  snows, 
From  thousand  springing  streams  its  current  flows; 
Mid  vast  prairies,  winds  its  lengthened  way, 
Two  thousand  miles  where  savage  hunters  .stray 
Then  quits  its  wildly  wanderings  to  receive 
The  busy  hum  of  commerce  on  its  wave. 

Two  thousand  more  its  rapid  current  flows, 
Receiving  still  large  rivers  as  it  goes, 
Young  Empires  flourish  all  along  its  tide, 
And  joyous  cities  rise  on  every  side. 
What  is  the  boasted  Nile  compared  with  this  ? 
Its  magnitude  is  lost  in  nothingness, 


OURCOUNTRY.  77 

Asia  and  Europe's  longest,  proudest  streams 
'Longside  Missouri's  tide  how  short  they  seem  ! 
Our  cataracts  too,  in  grandeur  far  outvie, 
The  noblest  waterfalls  beyond  the  sea. 
See  grand  Niagara's  stream  majestic  glide, 
The  venturous  steamer  floating  on  its  tide : 
Its  limpid  waters  draining  half  a  world, 
Into  the  yawning  gulf  are  headlong  hurled, 
And  for  a  moment  lose  the  light  of  day, — 
Dash  on  the  rocks — then  rise  in  misty  spray. 

The  playful  sunbeams  trembling  kiss  its  tears, 
And  from  this  loved  embrace  the  bow  appears ; 
Commingling  colors  of  the  liveliest  hue 
From  purple  red,  to  yellow,  pink,  and  blue. 
These  mingling  join  the  sportive,  airy  dance, 
Their  beauty  half  concealed  from  vulgar  glance  ; 
Now  veil'd  in  clouds — now  bursting  to  the  view 
In  blushing  modosty.  the  dance  renew ; 
While  music  rolls  in  awful,  solemn  sound, 
Heard  in  the  distance,  many  leagues  around. 


78  OUR    COUNTRY.. 

Or  turn  to  Tequendama's  awful  steep, 

See  wild  Bogota's  waters  boldy  leap, 

Down  from  the  lofty  Andes'  heights  of  snow, 

To  flowery  plains,  where  spring's  soft  breezes  blow 

'Mid  scenes  of  majesty  unrival'd  stand, 

And  view  the  wonders  of  Columbia's  land. 

Our  climate  stretching  far  through  every  zone, 

Presents  variety  elsewhere  unknown. 

Lo !  in  the  North  eternal  winter  reigns, 

And  binds  the  ocean  in  his  icy  chains ; 

Locked  in  the  stupor  of  his  cold  embrace 

All  nature  seems  to  sleep : — yet  here  we  trace 

Some  signs  of  life, — of  joy,  and  happiness, 

Some  icy  cottage  of  domestic  bliss, 

Where  love  sits  smiling,  (from  the  blast  secure) 

In  native  modesty, — -with  soul  as  pure, 

And  chaste,  and  lovely,  ns  their  virgin  snows, 

While  to  the  chase  her  lord,  or  lover  goes  ; 

And  if  per  chance  he  takes  a  Bear,  or  Seal, 

Amid  the  dangers  of  the  icy  field, 

Returns  in  triurrph  to  his  humble  cot 

Where  lost  in  love  his  troubles  are  forgot 


O  U  R    C  O  U  N  T  R  Y  .  79 

Our  northern  states  present  a  clime  severe, 
Where  wintry  blasts  are  howling  half  the  year; 
But  spring  arising  from  its  wintry  tomb, 
Renew'd  in  freshness  sheds  a  sweet  perfume ; 
Decked  in  pure  robes  of  purple,  white  or  green, 
Adorned  with  flowrets  bright : — O,  lovely  scene ! 
Melodious  sounds  of  music,  soft  and  sweet 
Thrill  through  the  air, — it's  joyous  welcome  greet 
There  autumn's  richest  blessings  crown  the  year, 
And  there  the  rose  on  beauty's  cheek  appears. 

Our  southern  climes  for  mildness  may  compare, 
With  Italy,  and  France>  whose  gentle  air 
Became  the  subject  of  the  Poet's  dream, 
Or  breathed  in  music  soft,  the  lover's  theme. 
There  rapturous  passions  kindle  in  the  soul 
Their  warmest  fires, — impatient  of  control : 
There  love's  soft  graces  beam  in  woman's  eye 
And  beauty's  cheek  is  tinged  with  paler  dye. 
There  balmy  sweets  perfume  the  breath  of  morn 
And  shady  groves  the  noonday  walks  adorn; 
While  gentle  zephyrs  kiss  the  blushing  flowers, 
And  healthful  breezes  cool  the  evening  hours. 


80 

Our  soil,  with  Eden's  garden  would  compare, 
Nay  more, — forbidden  fruit  was  growing  there  ; 
But  here  the   trees   of  life  and  knowledge  stand 

reveal'd, 

And  free  to  all, — no  poison  is  conceal'd 
In  wisdom's  fruit, — Our  Eves  may  satisfy 
Their  souls  with  knowledge  here ;  nor  fear  to  die. 


O,  MISSOURI,  HOW  ART  THOU  FALLEN! 

WRITTEN    IN    PRISON. 

Missouri,  a  country  how  sad  and  how  low, 

How   fallen   from   glory,    from    freedom,   from 
pride, 

O,  would  that  oblivion  its  mantle  would  throw 
O'er  thee,  and  the  depth  of  thy  wickedness  hide. 

Thou  should'st  never  rejoice — think  not  of  the  day 
When  Columbia  for  freedom   first  struggled  so 
bold, 

When  thousands  assembled  in  battle  an  ay, 
The  star-spangled  banner  of  freedom  unfurled ; 


MISSOURI'S    FALL.  81 

Think  not  of  the  patriots  that  bled  in  her  cause, 
Who  met  all  undaunted  the  foemen's  dark  brow, 

They  gave  to  their  country  beneficent  laws 
Of  right   and   protection   but   where   are   they 
now  ? 

Disturb  not  the  rest  of  the  free  and  the  brave, 
Enshrined  deep  in  honor  they  sweetly  repose, 

They  swore  that  the  banner  of  freedom  should 

wave 
O'er  their  dear  native  land  regardless  of  foes. 

But  thou,  O  Missouri,  hast  trampled  on  all 

That  free  men  would  fight  for  or  patriots  feel. 

O  thou  queen  of  the  west  how  great  is  thy  fall — 
Thy  wounds  deep  and  deadly  no  balsam   can 
heal. 

Let  us  fly,  let  us  fly  to  the  land  where  the  light 
Of  Liberty's  stars  still  illumine  each  spot, 

Where  the  cottager's  smile  for  ever  is  bright, 
And  the  chains  of  a  tyrant  encircle  us  not. 


82 

In  the  fair  Illinois  the  eagle's  bold  wing 

Is  stretched  o'er  a  people  determined  and  free, 

And  the  shouts  of  her  sons  in  melody  ring 

O'er  her  bower  covered  groves  and  fine  prairie. 


A  NEW  YEAR'S  SONG. 

This  morning  in  silence  I  ponder  and  mourn, 
O'er  the  scenes  that  have  passed  no  more  to  return, 
How  vast  are  the  labors,  the  troubles  and  fears, 
Of  eight  hundred  millions  who've  toiled  through 
the  year. 

How  many  ten  thousands  were  slain  by  their  foes, 
While  widows  and  orphans  have  mourn'd  o'er  their 

wroes, 

While  pestilence,  famine  and  earthquakes  appear. 
And   signs   in   the   heavens   throughout   the   past 

vear. 


A  NEW  YEAR'S  SONG.  S3 

How   many   been    murder'd    and    plundered   and 

robb'd, 

How  many  oppressed  and  driven  by  mobs, 
How  oft  have  the  heaven's  bedewed  with  their 

tears 
The  earth  o'er  the  scenes   they  beheld  the  past 

year. 

But  the  day-star  has  dawn'd  o'er  the  land  of  the 

bless'd, 

The  first  beams  of  morning,  the  morning  or  rest ; 
When  cleans'd  from  pollution  the  earth  shall  appear 
As  the  garden  of  Eden,  and  peace  crown  the  year. 

Then  welcome  the  new  year,  I  hail  with  delight, 
The  season  approaching  with  time's  rapid  flight ; 
While  each  fleeting  moment  brings  near  and  more 

near, 
The  day,  long  expected,  the  great  thousand  years. 

I  praise  and  adore  the  eternal  I  Am ; 
Hosanna,  hosanna  to  God  and  the  Lamb, 


84  A  I,  AMENTATION. 

Who  order  the  seasons  that  glide  o'er  the  spheres, 

And  crown  with  such  blessings,  each  happy  new 
year. 


A  LAMENTATION. 

ON    TAKING    LEAVE    OF    NEW-YORK. 

idieu  to  the  city,  where  long  I  have  wandered, 
To  tell  them  of  judgments  and  warn  them  to 

flee; 

How  often  in  sorrow,  their  woes  I  have  pondered 
Perhaps  in  affliction,  they'll  think  upon  me. 

Witn  a  tear  of  compassion,  in  silence  retiring, 
The  last  ray  of  hope  for  your  safety  expiring ; 

A  feeling  of  pity  this  bosom  inspiring — 
Sing  this  lamentation  and  think  upon  me. 


A    LAMENTATION. 


85 


How  often  at  evening  your  halls  have  resounded 
With  th'  pure  testimony  of  Jesus,  so  free ; 

While  the  meek  were  rejoicing,  the  proud  were 

confounded, 
The  poor  had  the  gospel; — they'll  think  upon  me. 

When  Empires  shall  tremble  at  Israel  returning, 
And   earth  shall   be   cleans'd  by  the  Spirit  of 

burning ; 
When    proud  men  shall  perish,  and  Priests  with 

their  learning, — 
Sing  this  lamentation,  and  think  upon  me. 

When  the  Union  is  severed,  and  liberty's  blessings 
Withheld  from  the  sons  of  Columbia,  once  free ; 

When  bloodshed   and   war,   and    famine   distress 

them, 
Remember  the  warning !  and  think  upon  me. 

When  this  mighty  city  shall  crumble  to  ruin, 
And  sink  as  a  millstone,  the  merchants  undoing ; 

The  ransom'd,  the  highway  of  Zion  pursuing, — 
Sing  this  lamentation,  and  think  upon  me. 
8 


LAM  ENT  ATI  O  N. 


LAMENTATION  BY  P.  P.  PRATT. 

IN   MEMORY  OF  HIS  DEPARTED  WIFE,  WHO  DIED,  MARCH 

25,  1837. 

The  joys  of  home  I  once  have  tasted, 
All  its  pleasures  called  my  own ; 

Friendship's  purest  pleasures  graced  it, 
But  they're  gone, — I'm  left  alone, 

Now  no  more  that  smile  of  gladness 

Welcomes  me  at  my  return  ; 
But  a  lonely,  solemn  sadness : 

Oh  she's  gone, — I'm  left  alone  ! 

Oft  when  clouds  of  care  and  trouble, 

Like  a  tempest  o'er  me  roll'd, 
A  look,  a  word,  an  act  of  kindness, 

Served  to  calm  my  troubled  soul. 


LAMENTATION.  87 

When  by  pain  and  sickness  wasted, 

Oft  she  lingered  near  my  bed  ; 
Fed  me,  nursed  me  as  an  angel, 

Washed  my  feet  or  bathed  my  head. 

When  to  western  wilds  I  wandered, 

Rear'd  in  solitude  my  cot; 
Clear' d  away  the  gloomy  forest, — 

She  with  flowers  adorned  the  spot. 

When  by  ruthless  mobs  was  driven, 
Wounded,  bleeding,  from  my  home, 

Wandering  in  a  land  of  strangers, 
Pilgrim  like  she  with  me  roamed. 

When  in  distant  climes  I  wander'd, 
To  bear  glad  tidings  to  mankind ; 

She  shared  my  toils  and  travels  gladly, 
Or  would  consent  to  stay  behind. 

Returning  from  a  distant  journey, 
She  always  met  me  with  a  smile  ; 

Wash'd  my  feet  and  changed  my  "raiment, 
And  bade  me  rest  from  all  my  toil. 


LAMENTATION* 

But  now  alone  I'm  left  to  wander, 
From  land  to  land,  from  sea  to  sea ; 

And  none  except  my  only  offspring 

Will  scarce  inquire  what  comes  of  me. 

And  e'n  to  him  I'll  seem  a  stranger, 
While  he  is  reared  by  other  hands  : 

He'll  hardly  feel  1  am  his  father, 
When  I  return  from  distant  lands. 

What  is  it  then  for  which  I  linger, 
Still  in  this  dark  and  dreary  waste? 

Where  nothing  centers  my  affection, 
Where  others'  joys  I  cannot  taste. 

If  1  must  still  consent  to  tarry, 
'Twill  be  to  bear  another's  grief: 

To  save  mankind  from  sin  and  sorrow, 
And  bring  the  broken  heart  relief. 

To  comfort  those  who  mourn  in  Zion, 
And  bid  ten  thousand  others  come  ; 

Where  the  widow,  orphan,  virgin, 
And  the  poor  may  find  a  home. 


FUNERAL      HYMN  89 


FUNERAL  HYMN. 

.  • 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF    MRS.    PRATT. 

Creation  speaks  with  awful  voice — 

Hark  !  'tis  a  universal  groan 
Re-echoes  through  the  vast  extent 

Of  worlds  unnumbered  called  to  mourn. 

For  sickness,  sorrow,  pain  and  death, 
With  awful  tyranny  have  reigned ; 

While  all  eterniny  has  shed 

Her  tears  of  sorrow  o'er  the  slain. 

But  hark,  again  ;  a  voice  is  heard, 

Resounding  through  the  sullen  gloom ; 
A  mighty  conquerer  has  appear'd, 

And  rose  triumphant  from  the  tomb. 

8* 


90  FAREWELL     MEMORIAL. 

No  longer  let  creation  mourn  ; 

Ye  sons  of  sorrow,  dry  your  tears ; 
Life — life — eternal  life  is  ours, 

Dismiss  your  doubts,  dispel  your  fears. 

The  King  shall  soon  in  clouds  descend, 
With  all  the  heav'nly  hosts  above : 

The  dead  shall  rise  and  hail  their  friends. 
And  always  dwell  with  those  they  love. 

No  tears,  no  sorrow,  death  or  pain* 
Shall  e'er  be  known  to  enter  there ; 

But  perfect  peace,  immortal  bloom, 
Shall  reign  triumphant  ev'ry  where ! 


FAREWELL  MEMORIAL. 

Keep  these  few  lines  till  time  shall  end, 
In  memory  of  your  absent  friend ; 
Who  wanders  o'er  life's  boisterous  wave, 
The  meek,  the  humble  poor  to  save. 


T  H  E     P  I L  GUI  M.  91 

While  T  endure  I'll  spend  my  breath 
In  prayer  for  those  who  love  the  truth. 
In  distant  lands  I'll  call  to  mind, 
My  true  and  faithful  friends  so  kind* 

Let  these  few  lines  adorn  the  place 
Where  you  retire  to  seek  his  grace  ; 
Then  lift  your  voice  in  humble  prayer, 
For  him  whose  lines  are  hanging  there. 


THE  PILGRIM. 

On  the  shores  of  Ontario  I'm  now  doom'd  to  wan 
der. 

A  pilgrim  in  exile,  a  stranger  I  roam, 

While  the  prince  and  the  beggar,  the  wise  and  the 
simple, 

In  palace  or  cottage  can  each  find  a  home. 

The  foxes  have  holes  and  the  birds  they  have  nests, 

And  all  but  a  preacher  has  somewhere  to  rest. 


R  E  W  E  LL. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE, 
FAREWELL. 

Farewell,  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
To  whom  we  oft  have  preach'd  the  word  ; 
May  you  improve  the  wisdom  given, 
And  lead  ten  thousand  souls  to  heaven. 

Farewell,  ye  saints  of  latter  days, 
\V  ith  whom  we've  met  in  prayer  and  praise, 
In  whose  kind  hearts  the  truth  has  shone, 
By  which  we're  gathered  all  in  one. 

Farewell  kind  friends,  whose  hearts  are  true 
We  can  no  longer  stay  with  you ; 
Arise — the  voice  of  truth  obey, 
O  come  and  wash  your  sins  away. 


DOWNFALL    OP    BABYLON.  93 

Farewell  to  all  whose  stubborn  wills 
Bind  them  in  chains  of  darkness  still : 
Our  voice  no  longer  you  shall  hear, 
Till  Jesus  shall  in  clouds  appear : 

Then  you  shall  see,  and  hear,  and  know, 
What  you  rejected  here  below . 
Though  you  may  sink  in  endless  pain, 
Yet  truth  eternal  will  remain. 


THE  DOWNFALL  OF  BABYLON 

An  angel  of  glory  from  heaven  descended, 
While  his  power  and  glory  enlightened  the  earth ; 
With   a    voice   strong   and   mighty,  his   cry   was 

extended, 
Babylon  is  fallen  and  hushed  in  her  mirth ; 

The  dwelling  of  devils  and  every  foul  spirit, 
The  cage  of  uncleanness  and  of  hateful  birds. 
All  nations  had  tasted  her  wine  and  were  drunken, 
But  now  she  is  fallen  the  angel  brings  word  ; 


94  DOWNFALL  OP  BABYLON. 

Her  merchants  were  great  men,  and  through  her 

abundance, 

They  long  had  wax'd  rich  in  her  traffic  though  vain, 
But  now  she  is  fallen, — is  fallen, — is  fallen, 
Her  riches  and  glory  have  ended  in  pain; 

Her   plagues   in   one   day — death,   mourning   and 

famine, 

And  flame  shall  devour  her  and  burn  her  withal ; 
The  kings  of  the  earth  at  the  smoke  of  her  burning, 
Shall  stand  afar  off  and  lament  her  sad  fall. 

Her  merchants  shall  weep  for  their  traffic  is  ended, 
Their  gold  and  their  silver,  their  stones   and  their 

pearls, 

Their  linen  and  purple,  their  silk  and  their  scarlet. 
And  all  things  that  wealth  could  procure  in  the 

world. 

Their  vessels  of  ivory  and  brass,  iron  and  marble, 
And  cinnamon  and  odours,  frankincense  and  wine. 
And  oil  and  fine  flour,  wheat,  beasts,  sheep  and 

horses, 
And  chariots  and  slaves,  and  the  souls  of  mankind. 


DOWNFALL    OF    BABYLON.  95 

Rejoice,  O  thou  Heaven !  ye  holy  apostles, 
And  prophets  for  God  hath  avenged  you  withal, 
For  like  a  great  millstone  doth  sink  in  the  ocean, 
E'en  so  on  a  sudden  shall  Babylon  fall ; 

The  voice  of  musicians,  the  harp  and  the  pipers, 
And  trumpets  and  organs  no  longer  shall  sound, 
No  craftsmen,  mechanic  or  workman  whatever, 
Within  thy  dominion  shall  ever  be  found ; 

No  more  shall  the  sound  of  a  millstone  be  heard, 
The  light  of  a  candle  no  more  in  thee  shine, 
The  voice  of  the  bridegroom  and  bride  ever  silent, 
Darkness  and  sorrow,  and  death  shall  be  thine. 


PRATT'S  DEFENCE 

BEFORE    THE    AUTHORITIES    OF    MISSOURI. 

As  down  in  a  lone  dungeon  with  darkness  o'er- 
spread, 

In  silence  and  sorrow  I  made  my  lono  bed, 

While  far  from  my  prison  my  friends  had  retired, 
And  joy  from  this  bosom  had  almost  expired. 


96  PRATT'S    DEFENCE. 

From  all  that  was  lovely  constrained  for  to  part, 
From  wife  and  from  children  so  dear  to  my  heart ; 
While  foes  were  exulting,  and  friends  far  away, 
In  half  broken  slumbers  all  pensive  I  lay. 

I  thought  upon  Zion — her  sorrowful  doom : — 
I  thought  on  her  anguish — her  trouble  and  gloom. 

How   for   years  she  had  wandered,  a  captive 
forlorn, 

Cast  out  and  afflicted,  and  treated  with  scorn. 

I  thought  on  the  time  when  some  five  years  ago, 
Twelve   hundred  from   Jackson  were  driven  by 

foes, 
While   two    hundred    houses    to    ashes    were 

burned ; — 
Our  flourishing  fields  to  a  desert  were  turned. 

I  remembered  these   crimes   still   unpunished  re 
mained, 

And  the  like  oft  repeated — again,  and  again, 
From  counties  adjoining,  compelled  to  remove, 
We  purchased  in  Caldwell,  Prairie  and  Grove. 


97 

JLnd  there  'mid  the  wild  flowers  that  bloomed  o'er 

the  plain, 

Our  rights  and  our  freedom  we  thought  to  maintain 
Nor  dreamed  that  oppression  would  drive  us  from 

thence, 
The  laws  of  our  country  we  claimed  for  defence 

But  soon  as  kind  autumn  rewarded  our  toil, 
And  plenty  around  us  began  for  to  smile, 

Our  foes  were  assembled — being  tempted  with 
gain; 

To  ravage  and  plunder,  and  drive  us  again. 

When  many  were  driven,  and  plundered,  and  robb'd. 
And  some   had   been  murdered  by  this  dreadful 

mob, — 

When  cries  for  redress  and  protection  were  vain, 
We  arose  in  our  strength  our  own  rights  to  main 
tain. 

The  mob  soon  dispersed,  to  the  Rulers  appealed, 
Saying,  lend  us  your  aid,  and  the  Mormons  will 

yield, 

9 


98  PRATT'S    DEFENCE 

For  surely  they  never  were  known  to  re'sist 

A  mob  when  commissioned  by  Rulers  and  Priests. 

This  soon  was  considered  by  far  the  best  plan ; 

And  orders  were  issued  for  ten  thousand  men, 
Including  the  Wilsons,  and  Gillums,  of  course, 
And  all  the  mob  forces,  for  better,  for  worse. 

These  soon  were  forthcoming,  in  dreadful  array  ! 

Some  painted  like  Indians,  all  armed  for  the  fray  ! 
The  Mormons  soon  yielded  without  the  first  fire, 
And  the  mobcrs  accomplished  their  ulmost  de 
sire. 

Some  females  were  ravished — and  cattle  and  grain 
Became  a  free  booty — and  one  pris'ner  slain. 
Some  twenty  or  thirty  were  murdered  outright. 
And  ten  thousand   others  were    BANISHED  THE 
STATE ! 

By  what  LAW  of  the  Statute  to  me  is  unknown ; 

But  it  must  be  by  law  all  these  great  things  were 

done  ; 

For  the  next  Legislature  the  expense  to  defray, 
Voted  two  hundred  thousand  the  soldiers  to  pay. 


99 

To  resist  THIS  oppression — THESE  excellent  laws, 
Was  murder  !  and  treason ! !  (in  technical  clause,) 
So  while  women  and  children  were  driven  away 
Their  husbands  and  fathers  in  prison  must  stay. 

So  now  to  the  jury  and  judge  I  submit ; 

I'm  not  learned  in  such  laws, — they  may  hang  or 

acquit — 
But  though  they  should  hang  me,  or  keep  me  in 

jail, 
The  spirit  of  Freedom  and  Truth  will  prevail 


100 


PRATT     8     DELIVERANCE, 


PRATTS  DELIVERANCE. 


'  The  captive  exile  bastcneth  that  be  may  bo  loosed." 


The  chains  are  rent,  the  dungeon's  gloom* 
No  more  these  active  limbs  confine,- 

I  rise  as  from  the  dreary  tomb, 
Where  long  in  prison  I  repined. 

I  mount — I  fly — I  haste  away, 

Buoyed,  as  it  were,  on  angel's  wings ; 

O  home !  O  friends  !  O  liberty  !— 

O  God  of  strength,  thy  praise  I'll  sing. 

Hosanna  now  in  highest  strains, 
Glory  to  God  and  to  the  Lamb, 

Hosanna  to  the  king  who  reigns 

In  heaven  and  earth — the  great  I  Am. 


VISIT    TO    THE    WHITE    MOUNTAINS.       101 


VISIT  TO  THE  WHITE  MOUNTAINS 

OF  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 
[Extract  from  the  Author's  Journal.] 

WHEN  we  came  near  the  base  of  the  mountain, 
two  beautiful  and  transparent  lakes,  surrounded 
with  a  romantic  forest  of  evergreen,  and  other  tre  j£, 
added  greatly  to  the  interest  of  the  scene.  Between 
these  lakes  a  mansion  was  reared  for  the  public  en 
tertainment  of  those  whom  curiosity  draws  to  the 
place.  This  house  furnished  pleasure  boats,  fishing 
apparatus,  guides.  &c.,  for  the  accommodation  of 
parties  of  pleasure,  and  others  who  wished  to  spend 
a  few  hours  amid  these  romantic  and  picteresque 
scenes  of  sublimity  and  grandeur,  where  nature  in 
her  wildest  freaks  had  combined  the  gentle  and 
lovely,  which  seems  to  soothe  and  calm  the  spirits* 
with  the  awfully  grand,  the  terribly  majestic,  and 
the  wild  and  romantic,  as  if  calculated  at  once  to 
interest  the  curious,  to  please  the  merry,  to  add 
gloom  to  solitude,  and  fervor  to  devotion ;  and  in 
a  word,  to  fill  the  contemplative  mind  with  the  high 
est  decree  of  wonder  and  admiration.  Our  road 


I 

102       VISIT    TO    TUB    WHITE    MOUNTANS, 

led  directly  between  the  two  small  lakes,  through 
what  is  called  the  notch.  The  mountains  on  each 
hand  reared  their  majestic  piles  almost  perpendicu 
lar  for  many  hundred  feet. 

While  clouds  hung  lowering  on  their  bosoms, 
And  their  tall  summits  high  above 
The  misty  vapors  stood  in  awful  pride, 
And  still  serenely  smiled  amid  clear  skies, 
And  all  the  splendor  of  the  morning  sun. 

When  we  had  passed  between  the  lakes  and 
walked  a  short  distance,  we  left  the  road  and  took 
a  footpath  to  the  left  hand,  and  commenced  our  as 
cent  up  the  steep  sides  of  the  mountain.  Our  path 
for  many  hundred  feet  was  very  steep,  and  in  many 
places  almost  perpendicular ;  but  the  rough  frag 
ments  of  rock  afforded  steps ;  and  these,  together 
with  twigs  and  shrubs  which  we  seized  with  our 
hands,  enabled  us  to  climb  with  some  degree  of 
safety  as  well  as  speed.  When  we  had  arrived  at 
the  distance  of  perhaps  half  a  mile,  the  scene  wa* 
truly  awful.  Huge  fragments  of  rock  were  thrown 
together  in  inconceivable  confusion,  as  if  by  some 
terrible  convulsion  of  nature ;  recalling  to  mind  a 
time  long  since  passed,  when 

Earth  with  a  tremendous  groan, 

Did  for  a  dying  Jesus  mourn. 


VISIT    TO    THE    WHITE    MOUNTAINS.       103 

Passing  still  onward  on  our  airy  way,  the  timber 
began  to  be  of  a  different  variety,  suited  to  a  colder 
climate,  and  fast  diminishing  in  its  size,  until  at 
length  we  were  only  surrounded  '  with  dwarf 
cedars,  or  spruce  ;  and  still  higher  up.  even  these 
ceased  to  vegetate,  and  a  bleak,  bald,  and  rocky 
summit  still  reared  its  dreary  head  a  vast  distance 
above  us.  At  the  point  where  vegetation  ceased, 
we  found  a  small  lake  several  rods  in  circumference^ 
probably  fed  by  the  melting  snows  which  lay  upon 
the  mountain  most  of  the  year. 

Leaving  this  curiosity  below  us,  we  continued 
our  ascent  over  rocky  steeps,  mostly  covered  with 
moss  ;  and  after  a  laborious  journey  of  some  hours 
we  found  ourselves  on  the  highest  pinnacle  of  Mt. 
Lafayette,  while  far  beneath  us  we  beheld  the  sum 
mits  of  many  other  mountains,  clothed  with  ever 
green  ;  and  beyond  these  on  all  sides  lay  a  beauti 
ful  scenery  of 

Farms,  and  fields  and  meadows  gay, 
While  in  the  distance  far  away, 
The  flocks  in  sportive  groups  assembled, 
Limpid  lakes  in  sunbeams  trembled, 
Huts  with  rural  scenes  surrounded, 
Mansions  fair  and  bright  abounded ; 
While  zephyrs  sweet  perfumed  the  air, 
From  roses,  pinks,  and  lilies  fair ; 


104    VISIT    TO    THE    WHITE    MOUNTAINS. 

While  far  o'er  eastern  hills  we  view 

The  briny  ocean's  distant  blue, 

And  mark  its  waves  in  distance  dwindle, 

Till  with  the  heavens  they  seem  to  mingle. 

When  all  at  once  the  scenes  around  us 

Are  veiled  from  view,  and  clouds  surround  us, 

And  far  beneath,  and  high  above, 

Swift  through  the  air  the  vapors  move. 

Although  it  was  now  in  the  sultry  heat  of  sum 
mer,  yet  our  vast  elevation  caused  a  coldness  which 
seemed  winterlike  ;  and  although  dressed  in  winter 
ck>thing,  we  were  soon  so  chilled  as  to  shake  at 
every  limb.  After  offering  our  prayers  and  thanks  to 
the  Maker  of -heaven  and  earth,  we  again  descend 
ed  ;  and  when  we  had  come  down  about  halfway 
we  were  out  of  the  cloud,  and  again  enjoyed  the 
pure  air  of  the  lower  atmosphere,  while  the  warm 
and  gentle  breezes  of  summer  soon  warmed  and 
restored  our  benumbed  limbs  to  their  proper  tem 
perature.  Inspired  with  sublimer  and  nobler 
thoughts  of  nature  and  of  nature's  God,  we  pur 
sued  our  course  a  few  miles  on  our  way,  and  being 
weary  we  called  at  a  humble  dwelling,  were  kindly 
received,  and  after  partaking  of  such  simple  refresh 
ments  as  the  place  afforded,  with  appetites  sharpen 
ed  with  fatigue,  we  retired  to  rest,  and  resigned  the 
night  to  sweet  repose. 


THE  REGENERATION 


ETERNAL  DURATION  OF  MATTER, 


"The  Elements  are  Eternal*"1 


WR  ITT  EN     IN      PRISON. 

"  And  he  that  sat  upon  the  throne  said,  Behold,  I  make  all  things  »cw 
And  he  said  unto  me  write,  for  these  words  are  true  aud  faithful." 

REV,  xxi.  5. 

* 

MATTER  and  SPIRIT  are  the  two  great  principles  of 
all  existence.  Every  thing  animate  and  inanimate 
is  composed  of  one  or  the  other,  or  both  of  these 
eternal  principles.  I  say  eternal,  because  the  ele 
ments  are  as  durable  as  (he  quickening  power  which 
exists  in  them.  Matter  and  spirit  are  of  equal  du 
ration;  both  are  self-existent, — they  never  began  to 
exist,  and  they  never  can  be  annihilated.  We  do  not 
enter  upon  this  boundless  subject  as  a  matter  of  mere 


106  ETERNAL     DU&ATION 

speculative  philosophy,  calculated  in  its  nature 
merely  to  charm  the  imagination— to  interest  the 
curious,  or  to  please  the  learned.  So  far  from  this, 
we  consider  it  a  subject  of  deep  and  thrilling  inter 
est  to  all  the  human  family.  A  subject  equally  in 
teresting  to  Jew.  and  Christian  ;  Mahommedan  and 
Pagan ;  the  wise  and  the  simple  ;  the  learned,  and 
the  ignorant — -all — -all  are  journeying  swiftly  through 
time,  and  are  bound  to  eternity.  All  are  lovers  of 
life  and  happiness  ;  all  are  looking  forward  with  in 
expressible  anxiety  to  the  unexplored  regions  of  fu 
turity. 

THE  JEW,  as  he  follows  his  aged  parent, 
his  bosom  friend,  or  his  tender  offspring  to  the  se 
pulchre  of  his  fathers,  while  his  bosom  heaves  with 
anguish,  grief  and  sorrow,  is  still  comforted  with 
sure  and  certain  hope  of  their  being  raised  from  the 
dead  with  the  whole  of  Israel's  race,  and  clothed 
upon  with  flesh ;  and  of  their  being  restored  again 
to  that  land  which  was  given  to  them  and  their 
fathers  for  an  everlasting  inheritance :  while  David 
takes  his  seat  in  the  holy  city  and  reigns  over  the 
twelve  tribes  forever  and  ever. 

THE  MODERN  CHRISTIAN  when  called  upon  to 
endure  the  pangs  of  grief  and  sorrow,  in  following 
to  the  grave  his  nearest  friends,  is  comforted  with 
the  hope  of  a  spiritual  existence,  in  a  world  far  dis 
tant  from  his  native  earth  ;  and  far  beyond  tha 


Ofr     MATtER*  107 

bounds  of  time  and  space,  where  spirits  minglo  in 
eternal  joy  and  everlasting  song ;  and  although  the 
body  should  rise  from  the  dead,  yet  they  suppose 
that  the  whole  will  become  spirit  unconnected  with 
matter,  and  soar  away  to  worlds  on  high,  free  from 
all  the  elements  of  which  their  nature  was  composed 
in  this  life ;  and  thus  enjoy  eternal  life  and  happi 
ness,  while  matter, 

Animate  and  inanimate  shall  cease  to  be  ; 
And  no  more  place  be  found  for  Heaven,  Earth, 
or  Sea. — 

THE  MAHOMMEDAN  is  equally  subject  to  all  the 
heart-rending  grief  and  anguish,  which  others  feel 
at  the  loss  of  friends  ;  but  comforts  himself  with  the 
thoughts  of  one  day  gaining  a  paradise  of  sensual 
pleasures ;  where,  with  all  his  faithful  friends,  he 
expects  to  bask  forever  in  all  the  enjoyments  of  sen 
suality.  He  dreams  of  trees  loaded  with  delicious 
fruits,  and  bending  their  branches  invitingly  to  his 
appetite  ; — and  of  gardens  and  pleasure  grounds, 
adorned  with  pleasant  walks — with  cooling  shades 
and  with  blooming  sweets  which  perfume  the  air ; 
and  surrounded  with  fields  of  spices  more  delicious 
than  all  the  productions  of  Arabia :  while  his  gol 
den  palaces  and  seraglios  are  thronged  with  myri 
ads  of  delightful  virgins,  more  pure  and  beautiful 


ETERNAL     DURATION 

than  the  fairest  daughters  of  Circassia.     With  these 
he  hopes  to  spend  a  life  of  pleasures  forevermore. 

THE  PAGAN  too,  in  turn,  when  bowed  down  with 
grief  and  sorrow,  finds  some  relief  in  anticipation 
of  a  future  existence — some  shady  forest  filled  with 
game — some  delightful  prairie  of  blooming  flowers 
— some  humble  heaven  behind  the  cloud-topped 
hill,  where  he  hopes  to  join  his  wife,  his  children, 
his  brothers,  his  fathers ;  and  in  their  society  to 
spend  a  peaceful  eternity  in  all  the  enjoyments  of 
domestic  life,  while  his  faithful  horse  and  dog  shall 
bear  him  company.  These  are  the  hopes  and  an 
ticipations  which  serve  to  dry  his  tears, — to  calm 
his  heaving  bosom,  and  to  his  troubled  spirit  whis 
per  peace.  How  desirable  then  is  a  just  and  cor 
rect  knowledge  on  this  all-important  subject.  Who 
does  not  desire  to  become  acquainted  as  far  as  pos 
sible  with  the  nature  of  that  eternal  state  of  exist 
ence  to  which  we  are  all  hastening  ?  We  are  de 
pendent  alone  on  the  light  of  revelation  and  reason, 
for  any  just  and  correct  information  on  this  subject 
Moses,  in  his  account  of  the  creation,  commences 
thus: 


nxi  own  r»t 

•-    t  •  -    T      -  •  T  T 

nm  Dim  osrSy  ri^'m  irtai  inn  rum 

-  :  T  T   :|T 

:  DW?  'Krt;  nrno 


O  F     MATTER.  109 

Which  may  with  propriety  be  translated  thus: 
"  In  the  beginning  God  made  (or  formed)  the 
heavens  and  the  earth,  and  the  earth  she  was  empty 
and  desolate;  and  darkness  upon  the  faces  of  the 
abyss ;  and  the  wind  of  God  was  brooding  over 
the  faces  of  the  waters." 

Moses  did  not  see  fit  to  inform  us  of  what  kind 
of  materials  the  Lord  formed  the  earth,  and  indeed 
there  was  no  need  of  revelation  to  guide  us  on  that 
subject ;  for  we  see  for  ourselves  that  it  is  composed 
of  the  common  elements  which  constitute  matter  in 
general,  and  of  course  this  element  or  matter 
already  existed,  and  that  too  in  sufficient  quantity 
for  the  formation  of  a  globe  like  this.  From  the 
Mosaic  account  of  the  creation,  many  have  gath 
ered  the  idea  that  God  created  all  things  out  of  non 
entity, — that  solid  matter  sprung  from  nothing.  But 
this  is  for  want  of  reflection,  or  an  exercise  of  rea 
son  on  the  subject;  for  instance,  when  a  child 
inquires  of  its  father,  saying,  father,  who  made  this 
house  ?  the  father  replies,  the  carpenter  made  it. 
Again,  the  child  inquires,  who  made  me?  the  father 
replies,  the  Lord  made  you.  Again,  the  child 
inquires,  who  made  the  earth  ?  the  father  replies, 
the  Lord  made  the  earth,  and  all  things  upon  the 
face  thereof.  Now  the  child  might  suppose  that 

the  carpenter  created  the  houso  without  any  mate- 
10 


110  ETERNAL      DURATION 

rials  ;  that  he  brought  it  into  existence  from  nothing  ; 
and  so,  with  equal  propriety,  he  might  suppose  that 
he  was  formed  from  nothing ;  when  in  fact  he  was 
formed  of  materials  which  grew  out  of  the  earth. 
And  with  the  same  degree  of  impropriety  we  might 
suppose  that  God  made  the  earth  from  nothing, 
when  in  fact  he  made  it  out  of  self-existing  ele 
ment. 

It  is  impossible  for  a  mechanic  to  make  any  thing 
whatever  without  materials.  So  it  is  equally  impos 
sible  for  God  to  bring  forth  matter  from  nonentity, 
or  to  originate  element  from  nothing,  because  this 
would  contradict  the  law  of  truth,  and  destroy  him 
self.  We  might  as  well  say,  that  God  can  add  two 
and  three  together,  and  the  product  will  be  twelve; 
or  that  he  can  subtract  five  from  ten  and  leave 
eight,  as  to  say  that  he  can  originate  matter  from 
nonentity ;  because  these  are  principles  of  eternal 
truth,  they  are  laws  which  cannot  be  broken,  that 
two  and  three  are  five,  that  five  from  ten  leaves 
five,  and  that  nought  from  nought  leaves  nought; 
and  a  hundred  noughts  added  together  is  nothing 
still.  In  all  these,  the  product  is  determined  by 
unchangeable  laws,  whether  the  reckoning  be  cal 
culated  by  the  Almighty?  or  by  man,  the  result  is 
precisely  the  same. 


OP     MATTER.  Ill 

Here  then,  is  mathematical  demonstration  that  it 
is  not  in  the  power  of  any  being  to  originate  matter. 
Hence  we  conclude  that  matter  as  well  as  spirit  is 
eternal,  uncreated,  self-existing.  However  infinite 
the  variety  of  its  changes,  forms  and  shapes ; — how 
ever  vast  and  varying  the  parts  it  has  to  act  in  the 
great  theatre  of  the  universe; — whatever  sphere 
its  several  parts  may  be  destined  to  fill  in  the  bound 
less  organization  of  infinite  wisdom,  yet  it  is  there, 
durable  as  the  throne  of  Jehevah.  And  ETERNITY 
is  inscribed  in  indelible  characters  on  every  particle. 
Revolution  may  succeed  revolution, — vegetation 
may  bloom  and  flourish,  and  fall  again  to  decay  in 
the  revolving  seasons — generation  upon  generation 
may  pass  away  and  others  still  succeed — empires 
may  fall  to  ruin,  and  moulder  to  the  dust  and  be 
forgotten — the  marble  monuments  of  antiquity  may 
crumble  to  atoms  and  mingle  in  the  common  ruin — 
the  mightiest  works  of  art,  with  all  their  glory,  may 
sink  in  oblivion  and  be  remembered  no  more — 
worlds  may  startle  from  their  orbits,  and  hurling 
from  their  spheres,  run  lawless  on  each  other  in 
conceivable  confusion — element  may  war  with  ele 
ment  in  awful  majesty,  while  thunders  roll  from  sky 
to  sky,  and  arrows  of  lightning  break  the  moun 
tains  asunder — scatter  the  rocks  like  hailstones — set 
worlds  on  fire,  and  melt  the  elements  with  fervent 


112  ETERNAL      DURATION 

heat,  and  yet  not  one  grain  can  be  lost — not  one 
particle  can  be  annihilated.  All  these  revolutions 
and  convulsions  of  nature  will  only  serve  to  refine, 
purify,  and  finally  restore  and  renew  the  elements 
upon  which  they  act.  And  like  the  sunshine  after 
a  storm,  or  like  gold  seven  times  tried  in  the  firey 
they  will  shine  forth  with  additional  lustre  as  they 
roll  in  their  eternal  spheres,  in  their  glory,  in  the 
midst  of  the  power  of  God, 

When  in  the  progress  of  the  endless  works  of 
Deity,  the  full  time  had  arrived  for  infinite  wisdom 
to  organize  this  sphere,  and  its  attendant  worlds, 
and  to  set  them  in  motion  in  their  order  amid  the 
vast  machinery  of  the  universe, — when  first  the 
morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of  God 
shouted  for  joy,  at  the  grand  occasion  of  the  acqui 
sition  of  a  new  system  to  the  boundless  variety  of 
his  works,  all  was  pronounced  very  good.  The 
waters,  obedient  to  his  word,  retired  within  their 
respective  limits,  and  filled  with  the  quickening,  or 
life-giving  principle,  which  we  call  spirit,  they  pro 
duced  living  creatures  in  abundance,  and  very  soon 
the  vasty  deep  was  found  teeming  with  animal  life 
in  countless  variety,  and  in  regular  gradation,  from 
the  monster  Leviathan  to  the  shell-fish ;  or 
descending  down  the  scale  of  existence  to  the 
minutest  speck  which  is  only  to  be  discerned  by  the 


OF     M  ATT  EH.  113 

aid  of  powerful  glasses.  The  air  swarmed  with 
an  almost  infinite  variety  of  animal  life,  from  the 
lofty  and  aspiring  eagle  which  soars  on  high,  and 
seems  to  dip  his  wing  in  ether  blue,  to  the  hum 
ming  bird  which  darts  from  flower  to  flower,  and 
hides  itself  amid  the  blooming  sweets  of  spring,  or 
descending  still,  to  the  puny  nations  of  insects  which 
swarm  in  clouds  of  blue  on  the  summer  breath  of 
morn :  all,  all  the  air  seemed  life  and  happiness. 

THE  DRY  LAND,  organized  in  its  own  proper 
sphere,  presented  a  surface  every  where  well  water 
ed,  abounding  in  springs,  streams  and  rivulets,  and 
uninterrupted  by  any  of  the  rough,  broken,  rugged 
deformities  which  now  present  themselves  on  every 
side.  Its  surface  was  smooth,  or  gently  undulating, 
and  delightfully  varied.  Its  soil  enriched  by  the 
dew  of  heaven,  and  impregnated  with  the  spirit  of 
animal  and  vegetable  life,  soon  poured  forth  a  luxu 
riant  growth,  not  of  noxious  weeds,  and  thorns  and" 
thistles,  but  of  fruit  trees,  and  herbs,  all  useful  for 
the  food  of  man  or  animal,  fowl  or  creeping  thing. 
And  soon,  too,  it  brought  forth  from  its  bosom  every 
varied  species  of  the  animal  race,  from  the  ponder 
ous  mammoth  or  the  mighty  elephant,  down  to  the 
mole ;  or  descending  still  in  the  scale  of  existence,  to 

the  smallest  creeping  thing  that  specks  the  surface 
10* 


114  ETERNAL     DURATION 

of  the  rock,  or  mantles  the  standing  pool  with  varied 
life. 

ITS  CLIMATE,  free,  alike  from  the  noxious  vapors 
and  melting  heats  of  the  torrid  zone,  and  the  chilling 
blasts  of  the  polar  regions,  was  delightfully  varied 
by  the  moderate  changes  of  heat  and  cold  which 
only  tended  to  crown  the  varied  year  with  the 
greater  variety  of  productions.  Streams  of  life, 
and  odors  of  healthful  sweets  came  floating  on 
every  breeze.  Thus  earth,  so  lately  a  vast  scene 
of  emptiness  and  desolation,  burst  from  its  solitude 
arrayed  in  its  robes  of  splendor ;  and  where 
silence  had  reigned  through  the  vast  expanse,  innu 
merable  sounds  now  reverberated  on  the  air,  and 
melting  strains  of  music  re-echoing  in  the  distant 
groves,  stole  upon  the  ears  of  admiring  angels,  and 
proclaimed  the  gladsome  news  of  a  new  world  of 
animated  life  and  joy. 

Thus  all  was  prepared  and  finished,  and  creation 
complete.  All  save  the  great  masterpiece,  the 
head  and  governor,  who  was  destined  to  rule  or 
preside  over  this  new  kingdom.  This  personage, 
designed  as  the  noblest  of  all  the  works  of  Deity, 
was  formed  of  earth  by  the  immediate  hand  of 
God ;  being  fashioned  in  the  express  likeness  and 
image  of  the  Father  and  the  Son,  while  the  breath 
of  the  Almighty  breathed  into  his  nostrils, — quick- 


OP     MATTER.  115 

ened  him  with  life  and  animation.  Thus  formed  of 
noble  principles,  and  bearing  in  his  godlike  features 
the  emblems  of  authority  and  dominion,  he  was 
placed  on  the  throne  of  power,  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God,  and  to  him  was  committed  power, 
and  glory,  and  dominion,  and  the  kingdom,  and  the 
greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole  heaven. 
From  the  bosom  of  this  noble  being,  or  rather  from 
his  side  emanated  woman.  She  being  composed 
or  fashioned  from  his  bone  and  from  his  flesh,  and 
undergoing  another  process  of  refinement  in  her 
formation,  she  became  more  exquisitely  fine,  beau 
tiful  and  delightsome ;  combining  in  her  person 
and  features  the  noble  and  majestic  expression  of 
manhood,  with  the  soft  and  gentle,  the  modest  and 
retiring  graces  of  angelic  sweetness  and  purity,  as  if 
destined  to  grace  the  dignity  of  manhood, — to  heigh 
ten  the  charms  of  domestic  life, — to  delight  the 
heart  of  her  lord,  and  to  share  with  him  the  enjoy 
ments  of  life,  as  well  as  to  nourish  and  sustain  the 
embryo,  and  rear  the  tender  offspring  of  her  species, 
and  thus  fill  the  earth  with  myriads  of  happy  and 
intelligent  beings.  O  reader,  contemplate  with  me 
the  beauty,  the  glory,  the  excellence,  the  perfection 
of  the  works  of  creation  as  they  rolled  from  the 
hand  of  omnipotent  power  and  wisdom,  and  were 
pronounced  good — very  good,  by  him  whose  hand 


116  ETERNAL     DURATION 

had  formed  them,  and  whose  eye  surveyed  them  at  a 
single  glance.  Tell  me,  O  man,  which  of  all  these 
works  was  formed  for  decay  ?  and  which  in  them 
selves  possessed  the  seeds  of  mortality,  the  prin 
ciples  of  dissolution  and  destruction?  Tell  me, 
was  there  any  curse,  or  poison,  or  death  inherent  in 
or  appertaining  to  any-  department  of  existing  mat 
ter  ?  Tell  me,  were  any  of  these  works  so  calcu 
lated  in  their  physical  construction  as  to  be  incapa 
ble  of  eternal  duration?  Was  there  any  death,  or 
sorrow,  pain  or  sickness,  sighing,  groaning,  tears 
or  weeping?  Was  there  any  thing  to  hurt  or 
destroy  in  all  the  holy  mountain  ?  The  answer  to 
all  these  questions  is  plain,  positive  and  definite,  if 
the  sacred  writings  may  be  relied  on  as  decisive 
evidence.  We  are  informed  in  scripture  that  sin 
entered  into  the  world,  and  DEATH  by  sin.  That 
by  one  man  came  death,  and  that  the  devil  had  the 
power  of  death.  We  are  also  informed  that  the 
ground  was  cursed  for  man's  sake,  and  its  produc 
tions  materially  changed.  In  short,  the  great  head 
and  ruler,  with  his  fair  consort  were  subjected  to 
many  curses  and  troubles  while  in  life,  and  with 
them  all  the  productions  of  the  animal  and  vege 
table  kingdoms,  together  with  the  earth  itself  were 
subjected  to  the  dominion  of  the  curse.  Thus  crea 
tion  felt  the  blow  to  its  utmost  verge,  and  has 


OF     MATT  Eft*  117 

groaned  in  pain  for  deliverance  until  now.  From 
all  these  declarations  of  holy  writ,  and  from  many 
other  proofs  which  might  easily  be  adduced,  we 
feel  ourselves  safe  in  saying  that  SIN  is  the  sole 
cause  of  decay,  or  death.  If  there  had  been  no 
s'n,  there  would  have  been  no  death,  no  dissolution, 
no  disorganization,  no  decay,  no  sorrow  and  groan 
ing,  tears  or  weeping;  neither  would  there  have 
been  any  pain,  but  creation  would  have  continued 
in  the  same  state  to  an  endless  duration.  O  sin, 
what  hast  thou  done  !  Thou  hast  hurled  man  from 
his  blissful  domain,  and  hast  reduced  him  from  a 
throne  of  power  and  dominion  to  a  state  of  servi 
tude,  where  sunk  in  sorrow  and  misery,  he  groans 
out  a  wretched  existence,  which  terminates  in  pain 
ful  dissolution,  and  he  mingles  with  his  mother  earth 
and  is  forgotten  and  lost  amid  the  general  ruin. 

Thou  hast  converted  a  garden  of  delicious  fruits 
and  blooming  flowers  into  a  gloomy  forest  of  thorns 
and  thistles.  Thou  hast  transformed  a  world  of  life, 
joy  and  happiness  into  the  abodes  of  wretchedness 
and  misery,  where  sighing,  groaning,  tears  and 
weeping  are  mingled  in  almost  every  cup.  By 
thee  the  earth  has  been  filled  with  violence  and 
oppression  ;  and  man,  moved  by  hatred,  envy,  ava 
rice  or  ambition,  has  often  embrued  his  hands 
in  the  blood  of  his  fellow  man,  by  which  the  fairest 


118  ETERNAL     DURATION 

portions  of  the  earth  have  been  made  desolate, — 
the  abodes  of  domestic  happiness  turned  to  sorrow 
and  loneliness, — the  happy  wife  and  tender  offspring 
have  become  widows  and  orphans, — the  bride  has 
been  left  to  mourn  in  irretrievable  anguish,  and  the 
virgin  to  drop  a  silent  tear  over  the  ruined  frag 
ments  of  departed  loveliness.  By  thee  the  world 
has  been  deluged  with  a  flood  of  waters,  and  unnum 
bered  millions  swept  at  once  from  the  stage  of 
action  and  mingled  in  the  common  ruin,  unwept  and 
unlamented  save  by  the  tears  of  heaven,  or  by  the 
eight  solitary  inhabitants  of  the  ark  who  alone 
escaped  to  tell  the  news.  By  thy  ravages  empires 
have  fallen  to  ruin,  and  cities  become  heaps.  The 
fruitful  plains  of  Shinar,  and  the  splendid  palaces  of 
Babylon  have  been  doomed  to  perpetual  waste  and 
and  irretrievable  desolation,  never  to  be  inhabited ; 
not  even  as  a  temporary  residence  for  the  wander 
ing  Arab.  (And  the  Arabian  shall  not  pitch  tent 
there.  See  Isaiah  XIII,  20.)  By  thee  the  cities  of 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and  the  flourishing  country 
about  them,  once  extremely  fertile,  and  watered  as 
the  garden  of  Eden,  have  been  desolated  by  fire,  and 
perhaps  overwhelmed  by  a  sea  of  stagnant  waters. 
By  thee  the  land  of  Edom,  once  a  flourishing 
empire,  posessing  a  productive  and  well  cultivated 
soil,  and  every  where  adorned  with  flourishing  vil- 


OF    MATTER.  119 

lages,  and  splendid  cities,  has  become  desolate, 
without  inhabitants  ;  and  the  Lord  has  cast  upon  it 
the  stones  of  emptiness,  and  the  line  of  confusion* 
It  has  lain  waste  from  generation  to  generation,  as 
a  haunt  for  wild  beasts  of  the  desert,  a  court  for 
owls,  and  a  place  for  the  cormorant  and  bittern. 
On  account  of  thee,  the  city  of  Jerusalem  has  long 
lain  in  ruins,  the  land  of  Judea  is  desolate,  and  their 
holy  and  beautiful  house  where  their  fathers  praised 
Jehovah  is  burned  with  fire ;  while  the  Jews  have 
long  remained  in  exile  among  the  nations,  in  fulfil 
ment  of  that  awful  imprecation  "his  blood  be  upon 
us  and  our  children."  By  thy  power  the  once 
mighty  empires  of  Greece  and  Rome  have  been 
shaken  to  the  centre,  and  have  fallen  to  rise  no 
more  ;  and  before  thy  desolating  blast,  almost  innu 
merable  provinces  lay  in  ruin.  The  waste  deserts 
of  burning  sand — the  sunken  and  stagnant  lakes 
and  miry  swamps — the  innumerable  rockey  barrens 
and  mountanious  steeps — the  desolate  and  dreary 
wastes  of  the  polar  regions — these  all  present  but 
so  many  monuments  to  thy  memory — they  speak 
in  language  not  to  be  misunderstood,  that  sin  has 
been  there,  with  its  dreadful  train  of  curses,  under 
which  they  groan  in  pain  to  be  delivered. 

The   solid  rocks  have  burst  asunder  at  thy  with 
ering  touch ;  they  have  been  rent  in  twain,  and 


120  ETERNAL    DURATION 

hurled  from  their  firm  foundations  by  thy  mighty 
power:  and  they  lay  scattered  in  broken  fragments 
and  ruined  heaps  as  monuments  of  agonizing 
nature;  and  as  a  testimony  of  the  heaving  sighs, 
the  convulsive  quakings,  and  dreadful  groanings 
of  the  earth  itself,  while  by  wicked  hands  the  great 
Messiah  was  slain.  And  what  shall  I  say  more  ? 
for  the  time  would  fail  me  to  innumerate  the  evils 
of  intemperance,  dissipation,  debauchery,  pride, 
luxury,  idleness,  extravagance,  avarice  and  ambi 
tion,  hatred  and  envy,  priestcraft  and  persecution, 
with  all  their  attendant  train  of  troubles,  miseries, 
pains,  diseases  and  deaths ;  which  have  all  contri 
buted  to  reduce  mankind  to  a  slate  of  wretchedness 
and  sorrow  indescribable.  The  noble  and  majestic 
features  of  manhood  have  often  been  transformed 
by  these  vices  into  the  frightful  and  disgusting 
image  of  demoniac  furies, — the  angelic  beauties 
of  earth's  fairest  daughters  as  often  transformed  by 
vice  into  objects  of  mingled  pity  ,and  contempt :  but 
cease  my  soul,  no  longer  dwell  on  these  awful 
scenes  ;  my  heart  is  faint,  my  soul  is  sick,  my  spirit 
grieves  within  me ;  and  mine  eyes  are  suffused 
with  tears  while  contemplating  upon  the  scenes  of 
wretchedness  and  misery  which  sin  has  produced 
in  our  world.  O  misery,  how  hast  thou  triumphed  ! 
O  death,  how  many  are  thy  victories !  thrones,  and 


MATTER, 


121 


dominions— principalities  and  powers — kingdoms 
and  empires  have  sunk  beneath  thine  all  conquer 
ing  arm,— their  kings  and  their  nobles,  their  princes 
and  their  lords,  —  their  orators  and  statesmen, 
beneath  the  blast  of  thy  breath  have  found  one 
common  grave* 

The  dignity  of  age, — the  playful  innocence  of 
youth,  or  the  charms  of  beauty  cannot  save  from 
thy  cruel  grasp,  -  thou  hast  swallowed  up  the  na 
tions  as  water,  and  thou  art  an  hungered  still, — thou 
hast  drunk  rivers  of  blood,  and  hast  bathed  in 
oceans  of  tears,  and  thy  thirst  is  still  raging  with 
unabating  fury.  Whither, — ah!  whither  shall  I  turn 
for  comfort  ?  in  what  secret  chamber  shall  I  hide 
myself  to  elude  thy  swift  pursuit  ?  If  I  would  heap 
up  gold  as  dust  I  cannot  bribe  thee.  If  I  would 
fortify  my  habitation  with  the  munitions  of  rocks, 
thine  arrows  would  pierce  them  as  the  spider's 
web,  and  find  their  way  to  my  heart.  If  I  would 
soar  on  high  as  the  eagle,  or  fly  to  the  most  secret 
haunts  of  the  desert,  or  hide  myself  in  the  gloomy 
thicket  with  the  solitarv  bird  of  night;  or  retire 
with  the  bat,  to  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  cavern, 
yet  thy  footsteps  would  pursue  me,  and  thy  vigi- 
lence  would  search  me  out.  No  arguments  of  the 
wise — -  no  talents  of  the  eloquent  can  prevail  with 

thee.     The  tears  of  the  widow,  the   cries  of  the 
11 


ETERNAL    DURATION1 

fatherless ;  or  the  broken  hearted  anguish  of  the 
lover  cannot  move  thee  to  pity :  thou  mockest  at 
the  groans  and  tears  of  humanity,  thou  scornest 
the  pure  affections  of  love  and  tenderness  ;  and  thou 
delightest  to  tear  asunder  the  silken  cords  of  con 
jugal  affection,  and  all  the  tender  ties  of  love  and 
endearment  which  twine  around  the  virtuous  heart, 
and  which  Lserve  to  cement  society,  and  to  admi 
nister  joy  and  happiness  in  every  department  of  life. 
What  mighty  power  shall  check  thy  grand  career, 
and  set  bounds  o'er  which  thou  canst  not  pass  ? 
Whose  mighty  voice  shall  command,  saying  "  thus 
far,  no  farther  shalt  thou  go,  and  here  let  thy  proud 
waves  be  stayed?"  What  almighty  conqueror 
shall  lead  thee  captive — shall  burst  thy  chains — 
throw  open  the  doors  of  thy  gloomy  cells,  and  set 
the  unnumbered  millions  of  thy  prisoners  [free  ?— 
who  shail  bind  up  the  broken  hearted — comfort  the 
mourners — dry  the  tears  of  sorrow — open  the  pri 
son  to  thorn  that  are  bound — set  the  captives  free 
— make  an  end  of  sin  and  oppression — bring  in 
everlasting  righteousness — swallow  up  death  in  vic 
tory — restore  creation  to  its  primative  beuuty, 
glory,  excellence,  and  perfection;  "and  distroy  him 
who  has  the  power  of  death,  that  is  the  Devil,  and 
deliver  those  who  through  fear  of  death  were  all 
their  lifetime  subject  to  bondage  ?"  but  hark— 


OP    MATTER.  123 

On  the  plains  of  Judea  me  thinks  I  hear 
The  melting  strains  of  the  lonely  shepherd's 
Midnight  song,  as  it  echoes  among  the  hills 
And  vales,  and  dies  away  in  the  distance. 

Its  heavenly  melody  betokens 
A  theme  of  joy  such  as  the  sons  of  earth 
Have  seldom  heard, — some  heavenly  theme  as  if 
The  choirs  of  angels — mingling  their  music 
With  the  sons  of  earth,  conspired  to  celebrate 
Some  new  event — some  jubilee  of  rest — 
Some  grand  release  from  servitude  and  woe. 

But  see — ah  see !  the  opening  heavens  around 
Them  shine  ;  a  glorious  train  of  angels  bright. 
Ascending,  fill  the  air : — it  is  indeed 
A  more  than  mortal  theme.     But  hark  again — 
Me  thinks  I  understand  the  words, — they 
Celebrate  the  birth  of  king  Messiah, 
The  mighty  prince  who  soon  shall  conquer  death 
With  all  his  legions,  and  reign  triumphant 
Over  all,  as  king  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords. 
Their  chorus  ends  with  peace  on  earth,  good  will 


ETERNAL    DURATION 

To  men.     O  monster  death  1  now  behold 

Thy  conquerer  f  Jesus  of  Nazareth — • 
The  babe  of  Bethlehem — the  son  of  God. 

He  comes  to  earth,  and  takes  upon  him  flesh 
and  blood, — even  the  seed  of  Abraham ;  and  this- 
for  the  express  purpose  of  conquering  sin  and  death, 
and  restoring  a  lost  and  fallen  world  to  its  former 
perfection  that  it  may  be  capable  of  eternal  life  and 
happiness. 

"  As  in  Adam  all  die  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all 
be  made  alive."     Now  let  the  reader  endeavour  in 
particular  to  understand  the  precise  object  of  the 
mission  of  Jesus  Christ  into  our  world;  and  what 
was  to  be  accomplished  by  his  death  and  resurrec 
tion.     We  have  already  endeavoured  to  show  the 
effect  of  Adam's  transgression  in  a  physical  as  well 
as  moral  point  of  view;  we  have  seen  that  sin  ma 
terially  affected   the  earth  itself,  as  well  as  all  its 
animal  and  vegetable  productions.    Now  the  object 
of  a  Saviour  to  bleed   and  die  as  a  sacrifice  and 
atonement  for  sin,  was  not  only  to  redeem  man  in 
a  moral  sense,  from  his  lost  and  fallen  state,  but  it 
was  also  to  restore  the  physical  world  from  all  the 
etfects  of  the  fall ;  to  purify  the  elements  ;  and  to 
present   the   earth   in   spotless  purity    before  the 
throne  of  God,  clothed  in  celestial  glory,,  as  a  fit 


OF    MATTER.  125 

inheritance  for  the  ransomed  throng  who  are  des 
tined  to  inherit  it  in  eternity.  If  the  question  be 
asked  for  what  Christ  died  ?  the  answer  is,  first,  he 
died  for  all  of  Adam's  race.  Secondly,  for  all  the 
animal  and  vegetable  productions  of  the  earth,  as 
far  as  they  were  affected  by  the  fall  of  man.  The 
lion,  the  wolf;  the  leopard  and  the  bear ;  and  even 
the  serpent,  will  finally  feel  and  enjoy  the  effects  of 
this  great  restoration,  precisely  in  the  same  degree 
in  which  they  were  affected  by  the  fall.  Thirdly, 
Christ  died  for  the  earth  itself,  to  redeem  it  from  al  1 
the  effects  of  the  fall,  that  it  might  be  cleansed  from 
sin  and  have  eternal  life.  Now  this  atonement 
which  was  made  by  Jesus  Christ  was  universal,  so 
far  as  it  relates  to  the  effects  of  Adam's  transgres 
sion:  and  this  without  any  conditions  on  the  part  of 
the  creature.  All  that  was  lost,  or  in  the  least  affect 
ed  by  the  fall  of  man,  will  finally  be  restored  by 
Jesus  Christ, — the  whole  creation  will  be  delivered 
from  its  dreadful  curse,  and  all  mankind  redeemed 
from  death,  and  all  the  dreadful  effects  of  the 
transgression  of  their  first  parents ;  and  this  without 
any  conditions  of  faith  and  repentance ;  or  any  act 
on  the  part  of  the  creature ;  for  precisely  what  is 
lost  in  Adam's  transgression  without  our  agency,  is 
restored  by  Jesus  Christ  without  our  agency. 
Thus  all  will  be  raised  from  the  dead,  and  the  body 


126  ETERNAL    DURATION 

and  the  spirit  will  be  reunited ;  the  whole  will  be 
come  immortal,  no  more  to  be  separated,  or  to 
undergo  dissolution.  This  salvation  being  uni 
versal,  I  am  a  universalist  in  this  respect, — this 
salvation  being  a  universal  restoration  from  the  fall, 
I  am  a  restorationer, — this  salvation  being  without 
works,  or  without  any  conditions  except  the  atone 
ment  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  am  in  this  respect  a  believer 
in  free  grace  alone,  without  works ;  this  salvation, 
redeeming  all  infants  from  original  sin,  without  any 
change  of  heart,  newbirth,  or  baptism,  and  the 
infant,  not  being  capable  of  actual  transgression, 
and  needing  no  salvation  from  any  personal  sin,  is 
therefore  in  a  state  of  salvation,  and  not  of  depra 
vity  ;  and  therefore  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God: 
and  in  their  infancy  they  need  no  ordinances,  or 
gospel  to  save  them,  for  they  are  already  saved 
through  the  atonement,  therefore  the  gospel  and  its 
ordinances  are  only  for  those  who  have  come  to 
years  of  understanding.  But  while  on  the  subject 
of  redemption,  I  must  not  pass  without  noticing 
another  and  very  different  part  of  the  subject,  viz — 
After  all  men  are  redeemed  from  the  fall  and  raised 
from  the  dead,  their  spirits  and  bodies  being  re 
united  and  the  whole  becoming  eternal  no  more  to 
see  corruption,  they  are  to  be  judged  according  to 
their  own  individual  deeds  done  in  the  body ;  not 


or  M  A  i  T  E  R.  127 

according  to  Adam's  trangression ;  nor  according 
to  sovereign,  unconditional  grace.  Here  ends,  uni- 
versalism ;  here  ends  calviiJsm  ;  here  ends  salva 
tion  without  works — here  is  introduced  the  necessity 
of  a  salvation  from  actual  sin, — from  individual 
transgression,  from  which  no  man  can  be  redeemed 
short  of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  applied  to  each 
individual  transgressor ;  and  which  can  only  be 
applied  on  the  conditions  of  faith,  repentance,  and 
obedience  to  the  gospel.  Now  all  who  neglect  to 
fulfill  the  conditions  of  the  gospel,  will  be  con 
demned  at  the  judgment  day,  not  for  Adam's  fall, 
but  for  their  own  sins.  But  as  our  subject  is  more 
particularly  confined  to  the  salvation  and  durability 
of  the  physical  world,  the  renovation  and  regenera 
tion  of  matter,  and  the  restoration  of  the  elements, 
to  a  state  of  eternal  and  unchangeable  purity,  we 
must  leave  the  further  prosecution  of  these  often 
contested  points  of  theology  to  be  persued  in  their 
usual  channel,  and  come  directly  to  the  merits  of 
the  great  subject  which  we  have  undertaken.  Let 
us  now  examine,  more  closely  the  physical  struc 
ture  and  properties  of  the  resurrected,  immortal 
body ;  endeavour  to  ascertain  in  positive,  definite 
terms,  whether  it  does  really  consist  of  flesh  and 
bones, — of  matter  as  well  as  spirit :  and  if  so,  en 
deavour  to  learn  something  of  its  place  of  residence 


128  ETERNAL  DURATION 

or  finil  destiny.  Christ  being  the  first  fruits  from 
the  dead,  and  th^only  person  whose  history  after 
their  resurrection  has  come  down  to  us ;  and  he 
being  the  great  head  and  pattern  of  the  resurrection 
we  shall  endeavour  to  ascertain  all  the  particulars 
which  will  serve  to  throw  light  on  the  subject,  as 
to  the  physical  nature  of  his  body,  both  before  and 
after  he  arose  from  the  dead.  His  mother  was  a 
virgin,  a  chosen  vessel  of  the  Lord,  who  conceived 
by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  brought  forth 
a  child,  who  \vas  composed  of  flesh  and  blood  ;  and 
in  his  physical  organization  differing  nothing  in  any 
respect  from  other  children  of  the  seed  of  Abraham. 
Like  other  children  in  their  infant  state,  he  no  doubt 
received  his  nourishment  from  the  breasts  of  his 
mother;  like  all  others,  he  was  helpless  and  de 
pendent  for  care  and  protection  on  his  parents, 
who  by  the  command  of  God  fled  into  Egypt  in 
order  to  preserve  him  from  the  cruel  sword  of 
Herod,  who  feared  a  rival  in  the  person  of  the  babe 
of  Bethlehem  :  like  all  others  he  grew  in  stature  by 
means  of  the  food  received  into  the  stomach,  and 
its  strength  diffused  through  tho  physic  il  system  ; 
and  when  grown  to  manhood  his  system  was  com 
posed  of  the  same  earthly  particles,  or  the  same 
elements  which  constitute  the  human  system  in 
general.  He  was  every  way  subject  to  the  infirmi- 


of  MATTER, 

ties,  passions,  pleasures,  pains,  griefs,  sorrows  and 
temptations  which  are  common  to  the  constitution 
of  man ;  hence  we  find  him  sorrowing,  weeping, 
mourning,  rejoicing,  lamenting,  grieving,  as  well  as 
suffering  hunger,  thirst,  fatigue,  temptation,  etc, 
and  we  also  find  him  possessed  of  the  most  refined 
sensibilities  of  natural  affection,  and  susceptibilities 
for  close  and  intimate  friendship.  This  is  abund 
antly  illustrated  in  his  close  and  intimate  friendship 
with  Lazarus  of  Bethany,  and  his  kind-hearted  and 
benevolent  sisters,  Martha  and  Mary.  He  wept 
with  the  tears  of  fond  affection  over  the  grave  of 
his  departed  friend  Lazarus,  and  mingled  his  tears 
with  the  sorrowful  and  disconsolate  sisters,  as  if  to 
sympathize  with  them  and  help  to  bear  their  grief, 
insomuch  that  the  Jews  exclaimed,  "behold  how 
he  loved  him."  Another  striking  example  of  this 
natural  affection  is  illustrated  in  his  close  intimacy 
with  his  beloved  disciple  John.  This  apostle  was 
his  most  intimate  friend  who  leaned  on  his  breast 
at  supper ;  and  who  was  employed  to  ask  questions 
on  subjects  in  which  the  others  felt  a  delicacy :  he 
is  frequently  called  "that  disciple  whom  Jesus 
loved."  Now  we  must  think  that  Jesus  loved 
them  all  as  disciples  and  followers  of  the  Lamb; 
but  as  to  natural  affection  John  was  his  peculiar 
favorite;  to  him  he  committed  his  sorrowing  and 


ETERNAL    DURATION 

disconsolate  mother,  as  he  was  about  to  expire  on 
the  cross,  and  from  that  time,  Mary,  the  mother  of 
Jesus,  became  a  member  of  John's  family*  "He 
took  her  home  to  his  own  house/'  Jesus  having 
taken  affectionate  leave  of  his  sorrowing  friends,  at 
length  yielded  up  the  ghost,  and  his  disembodied 
spirit  took  its  rest  in  paradise;  while  his  lifeless 
corpse  was  carefully  wrapped  in  linen  and  laid  in  a 
sepulchre  ;  but  for  fear  of  some  imposition  being 
practised  by  his  disconsolate  arid  sorrowing  disci 
ples,  the  door  of  the  sepulchre  was  secured  with  a 
great  stone,  and  sealed  with  the  initials  of  kingly 
authority,  besides  a  strong  guard  of  Roman  soldiers 
who  watched  around  the  door  by  day  and  by  night. 
But  early  on  the  morning  of  the  third  day,  an  angel 
descended,  at  the  glory  of  whose  presence  the 
soldiers  fell  back  as  dead  men.  The  seal  was 
broken,  the  great  stone  rolled  away,  the  door  of  the 
sepulchre  was  opened,  and  his  body  re-animated  by 
the  returning  spirit,  awoke  from  its  slumbers  and 
came  forth  in  triumph  from  the  mansions  of  the 
dead.  Now  when  his  friends  and  disciples  came 
to  the  sepulchre  and  found  not  his  body  but  saw 
his  grave  clothes  lying  useless,  they  were  troubled, 
supposing  that  he  had  been  moved  to  some  other 
place  ;  but  the  angel  of  the  Lord  said  unto  them  : 
"He  is  not  here,  but  is  risen,"  and  called  them  to  come 


OF     MATTER.  131 

and  see  the  place  where  he  had  lain.  Now  let  us 
bear  in  mind,  that  it  was  the  same  corporeal  system 
— the  same  flesh  and  bones,  which  had  yielded  up 
the  ghost  on  the  cross,  and  which  had  been  wrapped 
in  linen  and  laid  in  the  tomb,  that  DOW  came  forth 
from  the  dead,  to  die  no  more.  Now  in  order  to 
assist  his  disciples  in  understanding  this  subject,  that 
they  might  know  the  difference  between  disem 
bodied  spirits  and  resurrected  bodies,  he  not  only  eat 
and  drank  with  them,  but  called  upon  them  to  han 
dle  him  and  see ;  for  sa''d  he,  "  A  spirit  hath  not 
flesh  and  bones  as  ye  see  me  have."  On  another 
occasion,  he  exhibited  his  wounded  side  and  hands, 
and  called  upon  Thomas  to  put  his  finger  into  the 
prints  of  the  nails,  and  to  thrust  his  hand  into  his 
side,  where  once  the  spear  had  pierced  ;  and  finally, 
after  being  seen  of  them  forty  days,  he  led  them 
out  as  far  as  Bethany,  and  there  he  was  taken  up 
into  heaven  from  their  presence,  and  a  cloud  receiv 
ed  him  out  of  their  sight. 

Now  let  us  inquire,  what  was  the  physical  differ 
ence  between  the  mortal  body  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
his  resurrected  body  ?  They  are  both  the  same 
flesh,  the  same  bones,  the  same  joints,  the  same  si 
news,  the  same  skin,  the  same  hair,  the  same  like 
ness,  or  physical  features,  and  the  same  element,  or 
matter ;  but  the  former  was  quickened  by  the  prin- 


132  ETERNAL     DURATION 

ciples  of  the  natural  life,  which  was  the  blood,  and 
the  latter  is  quickened  solely  by  the  spirit,  and  not 
by  blood,  and  therefore  is  not  subject  unto  death, 
but  lives  forevermore.     With  this  glorious  body  he 
ascended  to  the  Father,  and  with  this  glorious  body 
he  will  come  again  to  earth  to  reign  with  his  peo 
ple.     This    view   of   the   resurrection    is    clearly 
exemplified  in  the  persons  of  Enoch  and   Elijah, 
who  never  tasted  death,  but  were  changed  instant 
aneously  from  mortal  to  immortal,  and  were  caught 
up  into  the  heavens,  both  body  and  spirit.     This 
change  upon  their  physical  systems  was  equivalent, 
to  death  and  the  resurrection.     It  was  the  same  as 
if  they  had  sltpt  in  the  grave  for  thousands  of  years, 
and  then  been  raised  and  restored  to  eternal  life. 
When  Elijah,  for  instance,  was  taken  into  the  cha 
riot  of  fire,  and  carried  from  the  presence  of  Elisha* 
he  did  not  drop  his  body,  but  only  his  mantle  ;  for 
if  he  had  dropped  his  body,  the  sons  of  the  pro 
phets  would  have  attended  to  his  burial,  instead 
of  ranging  the  mountains  in  search  of  him.     This 
same  subject  is  made  equally  plain  in  the  writings 
of  Job,  who  declares,  saying :   "  I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  lives,  and  that  he  will  stand  in  the  latter 
day  upon  earth  :  and  though  after  my  skin  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  FLESH  shall  I  see  God. 
The  Jewish  prophets  also  understood  this  matter  in 


OP     MATTER.  1 83 

its  clearest  light.     Isaiah  declares,  "  Thy  dead  men 
shall  live,— together  with  my  DEAD  BODY  shall  they 
rise."    Daniel  speaks  plainly  of  the  awaking  of  them 
that  sleep  in  the  dust.     Ezekiel  illustrates  the  sub 
ject  very  clearly  in  his  vision  of  the  dry  bones. 
(See  Ezekiel  xxxvii.)      He  not  only  mentions  their 
being  raised  from  the  dead,  but   the  bones,  the  si 
news,  the  flesh,  the  skin,  and  the  spirit  by  which  they 
will  be  re-animated,  are  all  brought  to  view   in  a 
clear,  plain,  and  positive  manner.     The  writings  of 
the  Apostles  abound  with  clear  elucidations  of  the 
physical  nature  of  the  resurrection  :    for  on  this 
one  point,  depended  the  whole  foundation  of  the 
Christian  system.     Hence  Paul  argues,  that  if  there 
4s  no  resurrection,  then  Christ  is  not  risen  ;  and  if 
Christ  be  not  risen,  then  their  preaching  was  vain  ; 
and  their  faith  and  joy  was  vain  ;  they  were  yet  in 
their   sins,  and  the  apostles  were  false  witnesses ; 
and  they  were  of  all  men  most  miserable.     But 
there  is  one' view  which  Paul  takes  of  the  subject, 
that  will  serve  to  carry  out  our  present  theory  in 
a  most  conclusive  manner.     It  is  this :   in  opening 
to  his  disciples  the  mysteries  of  the  second  advent 
of  the  Messiah,  and   the  great  restitution  of  all 
things  spoken  by  thj  prophets,  he  declares,  that  the 
saints  would  not  all  sleep,  (in  death,)  but  that  they 

which  were  alive  and  remained  until  the  coming  of 
12 


134  ETERNAL      DURATION 

Christ,  should  be  changed  in  a  moment,  in  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  be  caught  up  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air,  and  so  should  be  forever  with  him. 
Here  then,  is  demonstration,  that  tens  of  thousands 
of  the  saints, — indeed  all  the  saints  who  live  at  a 
certain  period  of  time  will  be  translated  after  the 
pattern  of  Enoch  and  Elijah,  and  their  spirits  and 
bodies  never  be  separated  by  death !  Such  then  is 
the  resurrection ;  and  such  the  lively  views  which 
inspired  the  prophets,  apostles  and  saints  of  former 
times,  and  having  this  hope  they  could  with  pro 
priety  say,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting ;  O  grave, 
where  is  thy  victory?"  O,  the  deep-rooted  blind 
ness  of  early  tradition  and  superstition,  how  art 
thou  interwoven  with  all  our  powers  of  intellect ! 
and  how  hast  thou  benumbed  and  blunted  every 
faculty  of  our  understanding.  From  early  youth 
the  principles  have  been  instilled  into  our  minds  that 
all  must  die  and  moulder  to  corruption — that  Enoch 
and  Elijah  were  the  only  persons  who  were,  or 
ever  would  be  translated  without  seeing  death; 
when  in  fact,  tens  of  thousands,  as  I  said  before, 
are  yet  to  arrive  by  faith  to  this  inconceivable  full 
ness  and  consummation  of  eternal  life  and  happi 
ness  without  tasting  death,  and  without  even  a  mo 
mentary  separation  of  soul  and  body ;  the  transition 
from  mortal' ty  to  immortality  being  instantaneous. 


OFMATTER.  135 

And  yet,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  none  will  ever 
attain  to  this  blessing  except  such  as  firmly  believe 
in  and  expect  it,  for,  like  all  other  blessings,  it  is 
only  to  be  obtained  by  faith  and  prayer.  But  how 
shall  we  believe  in,  and  seek  for  a  blessing  of  which 
we  have  no  idea?  or  how  shall  we  believe  in  that 
which  we  have  not  heard,  and  how  shall  we  hear 
without  a  teacher  ? 

From  all  these  considerations  it  appears  evident 
that  these  principles  must  necessarily  be  revived  so 
as  to  become  a  conspicuous  part  of  modern  theo 
logy.  They  must  be  taught  to  the  people,  and  the 
people  must  believe  them  ;  insomuch  that  every 
saint  on  earth  will  be  looking  for  the  great  day  of 
the  Lord,  and  expecting  to  be  caught  up  to  meet 
him  in  the  air ;  for  if  the  great  day  of  the  Lord 
should  come  at  a  time  when  these  principles  were 
neither  taught  nor  believed,  surely  there  would  be 
none  prepared  for  translation  ;  consequently  there 
would  be  no  saints  to  be  caught  up  to  meet  the 
Lore  in  the  air  ;  and  if  so,  the  words  of  the  Lord 
by  Paul  would  become  of  none  effect.  I  have 
made  the  above  remarks  in  order  to  impress  deeply 
upon  the  minds  of  our  modern  teachers  and  learn 
ers  the  importance  of  arousing  from  the  slumber 
of  ages  on  this  subject,  and  of  ceasing  to  teach 
and  impress  upon  the  youthful  mind  the  gloomy 


ETERNAL     DURATION 

thoughts  of  death,  and  the  melancholy  forebodings 
of  a  long  slumber  in  the  grave,  in  order  to  inspire 
them  with  solemn  fear  and  dread,  and  thus  move 
them  to  the  duties  of  religion  and  morality.  Expe 
rience  has  proved,  in,  innumerable  instances,  that 
this  course  is  insufficient  to  restrain  vice,  and  to 
lead  to  the  practice  of  virtue  and  religion.  The 
wayward  and  buoyant  spirits  of  youth  feel  weighed 
down  and  oppressed,  when  oft  reminded  of  such 
gloomy  and  melancholy  subjects.  All  the  more 
cheerful  faculties  of  the  soul  are  thus  paralyzed,  or 
more  or  less  obstructed  in  their  operations ;  the  fine 
toned  energies  of  the  mind  cease  to  act  with  their 
accustomed  vigor,  the  charms  of  nature  seem 
clothed  in  mourning  and  sackcloth.  We  conceive 
a  distaste  for  the  duties  as  well  as  the  enjoyments 
of  life.  Courage,  fortitude,  ambition,  and  all  the 
stimulants  which  move  man  to  act  well  his  part  in 
human  society,  are  impaired  and  weakened  in  their 
operations,  and  the  mind,  thus  soured  and  sickened, 
finds  itself  sinking  under  deep  melancholy  and  set 
tled  gloom,  which  soon  becomes  insupportable.  He 
at  length  sinks  in  despair, — becomes  insane,  or 
groans  under  various  diseases  brought  upon  his 
physical  system  by  the  anguish  of  his  mind  ;  or, 
with  a  desperate  effort,  tears  himself  from  friends 
and  society,  and  from  all  the  social  duties  and 


OFMATTER.  137 

enjoyments  of  life,  to  lead  a  life  of  solitude  within 
the  walls  of  a  convent,  or  in  the  gloomy  caverns 
of  the  monk.  But  more  frequently  the  youthful  mind 
when  laboring  under  these  gloomy  impressions, 
makes  a  desperate  effort  to  free  itself  from  its  dread 
ful  burthen,  by  plunging  into  all  the  allurements  of 
vice  and  dissipation ;  endeavoring  by  these  means 
to  drive  from  them  the  memory  all  these  gloomy 
impressions,  and  to  lose  sight  of,  or  cease  to  realize, 
the  sure  and  certain  approach  of  death. 

Let  us  then  cease  to  give  lessons  on  death  and 
the  grave  to  the  rising  generation,  and  confine  our 
selves  more  exclusively  to  the  proclamation  of  eter 
nal  life.  What  a  glorious  field  of  intelligence  now 
lies  before  us,  yet  but  partially  explored.  What  a 
boundless  expanse  for  contemplation  and  reflection 
now  opens  to  our  astonished  vision.  What  an  intel 
lectual  banquet  spreads  itself  invitingly  to  our  appe 
tite,  calling  into  lively  exercise  every  power  and 
faculty  of  the  mind,  and  giving  full  scope  to  all  the 
great  and  ennobling  passions  of  the  soul.  Love, 
joy,  hope,  ambition,  faith,  and  all  the  virtuous  prin 
ciples  of  the  human  mind  may  here  expand  and 
grow,  and  flourish,  unchecked  by  any  painful  emo 
tions  or  gloomy  fears.  Here  the  youthful  mind 
may  expand  its  utmost  energies,  and  revel,  uncon 
trolled  by  remorse,  unchecked  by  time  or  decay,  in 


138  ETERNAL     DURATION1 

the  never-fading  sweets  of  eternity,  and  bask  for 
ever  in  the  boundless  ocean  of  delight. 

This  course  of  instruction  folio  wed  out  in  demon 
stration  of  the  spirit  and  of  power,  would  serve  to 
check  the  allurements  of  vice,  and  would  greatly 
tend  to  lead  and  encourage  the  mind  in  the  practise 
of  virtue  and  religion,  and  would  cheer  and  stimu 
late  the  saint  in  all  the  laborious  duties  of  life.  It 
would  remove  the  fear  and  dread  of  death.  It 
would  bind  up  the  broken  hearted,  and  administer 
consolation  to  the  afflicted.  It  would  enoble  man  to 
endure  with  patience  and  fortitude  all  the  multiplied 
afflictions,  misfortunes  and  ills  to  which  they  are 
subject  in  this  momentary  life.  It  would  almost 
banish  the  baneful  effects  of  fear  and  gloom,  and 
melancholy  from  the  earth,  and  thus  give  new  tone 
and  energy  to  all  the  various  departments  of  soci 
ety.  The  long  night  of  darkness  and  superstition 
is  now  far  spent.  The  truth,  revived  in  its  primitive 
simplicity  and  purity,  like  the  day  star  of  the  hori 
zon,  lights  up  the  dawn  of  that  effulgent  morn  when 
the  knowledge  of  God  will  cover  the  earth  as  the 
waters  cover  the  sea.  With  what  propriety  then, 
may  the  rising  generation  look  forward  with  a  well 
grounded  hope,  that  they  or  their  children  may  be 
of  that  unspeakably  happy  number  who  will  live  to 
be  caught  up  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  like 


OF     MATTER.  139 

Enoch  and  Elijah,  escape  the  pangs  of  dissolution, 
and  the  long  imprisonment  of  the  grave.  Or, 
with  still  more  certainty,  they  may  hope  that  if  they 
sleep  in  the  dust,  it  will  only  be  of  short  duration, 
and  then  they  will  rise  again  to  enjoy  the  pleasures 
of  life  for  evermore.  Parents,  do  you  love  your 
children  ?  Does  it  grieve  you  to  see  their  lifeless 
bodies  laid  in  the  tomb,  and  shut,  as  it  were,  forever 
from  your  society  ?  Children,  have  you  ever  been 
called  to  bid  farewell  to  your  beloved  and  venerable 
parents,  and  to  grieve  with  heart-broken  anguish,  as 
their  bodies  were  deposited  in  the  cold  and  silent 
grave,  and  you  left  as  orphans  upon  the  droary 
world?  Husbands  and  wives,  do  you  love  your 
companions,  and  often  wish  that  you  both  might  live 
in  the  body  forever,  and  enjoy  each  other's  society, 
without  undergoing  a  painful  separation  by  the  mon 
ster,  death  ?  Be  careful,  then,  to  secure  a  part  in 
the  first  resurrection,  that  you,  and  your  friends  may 
live  and  reign  with  Christ  on  earth  a  thousand 
years. 

O  them  broken  hearted  and  disconsolate  widow, 
thou  hast  been  called  to  part  with  the  bosom  friend 
of  thy  youth,  and  to  see  thy  beloved  shut  from  thy 
presence  in  the  dreary  mansions  of  the  dead.  Have 
you  ever  been  comforted  with  the  reflection  that 
the  tomb  will  burst  asunder  in  the  morning  of  the 


140  ETERNAL      DURATION 

resurrection,  —  that  these  once  active  limbs,  now 
cold  in  death, — these  bones  and  joints,  and  sinews, 
with  the  flesh  and  skin  will  come  forth,  and  be 
again  quickened  with  the  spirit  of  life  and  motion ; 
and  that  this  cold  and  silent  bosom  will  again  boat 
with  the  most  animated  and  happy  sensations  of 
pure  love  and  kindred  affection  ? 

Parents  and  children,  husbands  and  wives,  bro 
thers  and  sisters,  have  these  thoughts  sunk  deep  into 
your  hearts  in  the  hour  of  sorrow,  and  served  to 
comfort,  to  soothe  and  support  your  sinking  spirits 
in  the  hour  of  keenest  distress?  or  have  you  ima 
gined  to  yourselves  some  spiritual,  existence  beyond 
the  bounds  of  time  and  space ;  some  shadow  with 
out  substance,  some  fairy  world  of  spirits  bright  far 
from  earth  your  native  home;  and  at  a  distance 
from  att  the  associations,  affections  and  endearments 
which  are  interwoven  with  your  very  existence 
here ;  and  in  which  were  mingled  all  the  sweets  of 
life  ?  No  wonder  then,  that  such  should  cling  to  life, 
and  shrink  from  death  with  terror  and  dismay :  no 
wonder  that  such  should  feel  insupportable  and 
overwhelming  grief  at  the  loss  of  friends ;  for  who 
can  bear  the  thoughts  of  eternal  separation  from 
those  lovely  scenes  with  which  they  have  been 
accustomed  to  associate  from  early  infancy?  Who 
can  endure  to  be  torn  from  those  they  love  dearer 


•t   A-t 

OF     MATTER.  141 


than  life,  and  to  have  all  the  tender  cords  of  affec 
tion  which  twine  around  the  heart  with  mutual  en 
dearment,  severed  and  destroyed  for  ever? 

Let  us  then  endeavour  to  inspire  the  minds  of 
those  who  are  placed  under  our  care  and  instruc 
tion,  with  a  firm  faith  in  and  lively  sense  of  this 
the  most  important  of  all  subjects,  the  resurrection 
of  the  body,  and  eternal  life  ;  and  thus  encourage 
them  with  the  greatest  of  all  inducements  to  lead  a 
life  of  righteousness,  such  as  will  secure  to  them  a 
part  in  the  first  resurrection,  and  a  happy  immor 
tality  in  the  society  and  friendship  of  the  ransomed 
throng  who  are  arrayed  in  spotless  white,  and  who 
reign  on  earth  with  the  blessed  Redeemer. 

Having  now  shown  clearly  that  the  resurrection 
of  the  body  is  a  complete  restoration  and  reorgan 
ization  of  the  physical  system  of  man ;  and  that  the 
elements  of  which  his  body  is  composed  are  eternal 
in  their  duration ;  and  that  they  form  the  tabernacle 
— the  everlasting  habitation  of  that  spirit  which 
animated  them  in  this  life ;  and  that  the  spirits  and 
bodies  of  men  are  of  equal  importance  and  destined 
to  form  an  eternal  and  inseparable  union  with  each 
other  ;  we  must  now  return  to  our  research,  as-  to 
the  final  destiny  of  the  earth  and  its  productions  of 
animal  and  vegetable  life. 

O 

We  have  alreadv  shown  that  the  earth  itself,  and 


142  ETERNAL    DURATION 

all  its  productions  were  deeply  affected  by  the  fall, 
and  by  the  sins  of  the  children  of  men :  that  the 
atonement  which  was  made  by  Jesus  Christ  was 
not  only  for  man,  but  also  for  the  earth  and 
all  the  fulness  thereof:  that  all  things  were  re 
deemed  from  the  fall,  and  would  finally  be  re 
stored  from  all  the  dreadful  effects  thereof;  and  be 
regenerated,  sanctified  and  renewed  after  the  pat 
tern,  and  in  the  likeness  and  image  of  its  first 
creation;  partaking  of  the  same  beauty,  glory 
excellence  and  perfection  it  had  in  the  beginning. 
But  it  is  evident  that  this  restitution  did  not  take 
place  at  the  first  advent  of  the  Messiah ;  and  that  it 
has  not  taken  place  at  any  time  since :  therefore  it 
is  yet  future,  and  must  be  fulfilled  at  a  certain  time 
which  is  appointed  by  infinite  wisdom.  This  cer 
tain  time  is  called  in  holy  writ,  "the  times  of  restitu 
tion  of  all  things  which  God  hath  spoken  by  the 
mouth  of  all  his  holy  prophets  since  the  world 
began."  Now  this  restitution  is  to  be  accomplished 
by  nothing  short  of  a  second  advent  of  the  Messiah. 
He  must  again  descend  from  heaven  to  earth  in 
like  manner  as  he  ascended.  This  second  advent 
of  Messiah,  and  the  grand  events  connected  with  it 
is  a  theme  which  all  the  prophets  and  apostles  have 
dwelt  on  more  fully  in  their  writings  than  they 
have  on  any  other  subject  whatever.  If  I  would 


OF     MATTER. 

quote  proofs  on  this  subject,  I  might  begin  with 
Enoch  the  seventh  from  Adam,  who  exclaims^ 
"  Behold  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten  thousand  of  his 
saints,"  etc.  and  end  with  the  revelation  of  Jesus 
Christ  to  his  servant  John,  "  Behold  !  he  cometh 
with  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall  see  him ;  and  they 
also  which  pierced  him,  and  all  the  kindreds  of 
the  earth  shall  wail  because  of  him."  This  glo 
rious  advent  of  the  Messiah  was  the  comfort  of  Job 
in  his  extreme  affliction;  he  could  lift  up  his  sor 
rowful  eyes  from  the  midst  of  sackcloth  tind  ashes, 
and  exclaim  "  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth 
and  that  he  will  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
earth;  and  though  after  my  skin,  worms  destroy 
this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God,"  etc. 
This  was  the  solace  of  Daniel  in  his  captivity.  He 
could  exclaim,  "  I  saw  in  the  night,  visions,  and 
behold,  one  like  the  son  of  man  came  with  the  clouds 
of  heaven,"  etc.  This  same  theme  often  inspired 
Isaiah,  and  David,  with  an  extacy  of  admiration  and 
delight,  and  caused  them  to  pour  forth  their  sweetest 
strains, — their  sublimest  effusions  of  poetic  inspira 
tion  ;  and  this  same  subject  seems  interwoven  with 
almost  every  page  of  the  New  Testament  writings. 
Indeed  it  formed  a  kind  of  centre,  or  rallying  point, 
around  which  hovered  all  the  hopes,  joys,  anticipa 
tions  and  comforts  of  the  former  day  saints.  In 


144  ETERNAL     DURATION 

bonds  or  imprisonments,  in  persecutions  and  afflic 
tions,  in  tortures  or  in  flames ;  they  could  look 
forward  to  the  coming  of  the  Lord  in  joyful  antici 
pation  of  a  resurrection  and  reward. 

It  is  this  glorious  advent  of  the  Messiah,  and  the 
great  restitution  connected  with  it  which  has  ever 
formed  the  hope  of  the  Jews  ;  on  this  one  point 
hangs  the  destiny  of  that  long  dispersed  nation, 
in  their  final  restoration  to  the  favour  of  God,  and 
to  the  land  of  their  fathers,  and  to  their  beloved 
city  Jerusalem. 

"This  advent  is  what  Paul  had  allusion  to  in 
his  writings  to  the  Romans  where  he  said,  "  As  it 
is  written  there  shall  come  out  of  Zion  a  deliverer, 
who  shall  turn  away  ungodliness  from  Jacob." 
This  second  advent,  is  what  Peter  meant  when  he 
said  to  the  JewTs,  (see  A  cts  iii.)  "  And  he  shall  send 
Jesus  Christ,  which  before  was  preached  unto  you, 
whom  the  heavens  must  receive  until  the  times  of 
restitution,"  etc.  It  seems  evident  then,  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  to  come  again  at,  the  t;mes  of  restitution; 
at  which  time  a  trump  shall  sound,  at  the  voice  of 
which  the  graves  of  the  saints  will  be  opened,  and 
they  arise  from  tthe  dead,  and  are  caught  up  to- 
gather  with  those  who  are  alive  and  remain,  to 
meet  the  Lord  in  the  air. 

In  the  mean  time  the  earth  will  be  terribly  con 
vulsed;  the  mountains  will  sink,  the  valleys  rise, 
the  rough  places  become  smooth ;  while  a  fire  will 
pass  over  the  surface  of  the  earth,  and  consume 
the  proud  and  all  that  do  wickedly,  as  the  cities  of 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah  were  destroyed  in  the 
days  of  Abraham :  and  thus  after  the  earth  is 
cleansed  by  fire,  from  all  its  wicked  inhabitants, 
as  it  once  was  by  water,  and  after  its  mighty  con- 


OF    MATTER.  145 

vulsions  have  restored  it  to  its  former  shape  and 
surface,  it  becomes  a  fit  residence  for  Jesus  Christ 
and  his  saints.  The  Jews  behold  their  long — long 
expected  Messiah,  and  come  to  the  knowledge 
that  he  is  that  Jesus  whom  their  fathers  crucified  ; 
they  are  cleansed  from  their  sins  through  his  most 
precious  blood  ;  their  holy  city  Jerusalem  becomes 
a  place  of  holiness  indeed,  and  a  scat  of  govern 
ment.  ;  where  will  be  the  tabernacle  and  throne  of 
Messiah ;  and  where  the  nations  of  them  that  are 
saved  will  resort  from  year  to  year,  from  all  the 
adjoining  countries  to  worship  the  king,  the  Lord 
of  hosts ;  and  to  keep  the  feast  of  tabernacles :  and 
thus,  there  will  be  one  Lord,  and  his  name  one; 
and  he  will  be  king  over  all  the  earth.  "  Blessed 
are  the  meek  for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth/' 
This  promise  made  by  the  Saviour  while  on  the 
mount,  will  then  be  fulfilled.  (See  also,  xxxvii 
Psalm  ;  and  also  Ezekiel  xxxvii. 

The  curses  which  came  upon  the  earth  by  rea 
son  of  sin  will  then  be  taken  off.  It  will  no  longer 
bring  forth  thorns  and  thistles,  but  its  productions 
will  be  as  they  were  before  the  fall.  The  barren 
deserts  will  become  fruitful,  the  thirsty  land  will 
abound  in  springs  of  water,  men  will  then  plant 
gardens  and  eat  the  fruit  of  them,  they  will  plant 
vineyards  and  drink  the  wine  of  them,  they  will 
build  houses  and  cities,  and  inhabit  them,  and  the 
Lord's  elect  will  long  enjoy  the  work  of  their  hands. 
All  the  earth  will  then  be  at  rest  under  one  so 
vereign.  Swords  will  then  be  beaten  into  plough 
shares,  and  spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and  the 
nations  shall  learn  war  no  more.  The  very  beasts 
of  prey  will  then  lose  their  thirst  for  blood,  and 
their  enmity  will  cease.  The  lion  will  eat  herbs 


146  ETERNAL     DURATION 

instead  of  preying  upon  flesh,  and  all  the  animal 
creation  will  become  perfectly  harmless  as  they 
were  in  the  beginning,  while  perfect  peace  will 
cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea ;  while 
all  the  ancient  prophets,  apostles,  saints  and  martyrs 
with  all  our  friends  who  have  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus 
will  be  on  earth,  with  their  glorified,  immortal 
bodies,  to  sing  the  song  of  victory,  and  to  praise  the 

great  Messiah  who  reigns  in  the  midst  of  his  people, 
reader,  this  is  the  first  resurrection  !  "  Blessed 
and  holy  is  he  that  has  part  in  the  first  resurrection." 

O  reader,  this  is  the  great  sabbath  of  creation  ;  the 
thousand  years  of  rest  and  peace ;  the  longexpected 
Millennium.  Wouldst  thou  live  in  the  flesh,  and 
have  part  in  it  ?  wouldst  thou  again  enjoy  the  soci 
ety  of  thy  friends  who  were  so  near  and  dear  to 
thy  heart  in  this  life  ?  wouldst  thou  inherit  the 
earth,  and  be  free  forever  from  the  grave  ?  Re 
member — remember,  that  meekness  and  holiness  of 
life  are  the  conditions.  That  it  is  the  meek  only 
who  then  inherit  the  earth.  That  it  is  the  saints 
only  who  then  possess  the  kingdom,  and  the  great 
ness  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole  heaven.  In 
this  delightful  sabbath  of  creation,  earth  and  its 
inhabitants  will  rest  one  thousand  years  from  all 
the  pains,  and  woes,  and  sorrows  they  have  under 
gone  during  the  six  thousand  years  of  labor,  toil 
and  suffering. 

After  this  thousand  yenrs  is  ended,  the  last  resur 
rection  will  soon  come,  together  with  the  judgment 
day.  These  grand  events  will  be  ushered  in  by  the 
sounding  of  the  last  trump,  which  will  call  forth  the 
wicked  from  their  long  confinement  in  the  grave, 
and  they  will  be  judged  according  to  their  works, 
and  will  then  depart  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
to  the  place  appointed  for  them.  At  that  time  the 


OF     MATTER.  147 

heavens  and  earth  will  undergo  their  last  and  final 
change.  They  die,  and  rise  again  from  the  dead  ; 
or,  in  other  words,  the  elements  are  changed  from 
their  temporal  to  their  eternal  state  ;  being  renewed, 
purified,  and  brought  to  the  highest  state  of  perfec 
tion  and  refinement  which  it  is  possible  for  them  to 
receive. 

The  earth  being  thus  renewed  and  purified,  is  no 
more  to  be  changed  or  shaken.  It  will  then  roll 
its  eternal  rounds  amidst  the  unnumbered  sys 
tems  of  the  universe;  being  clothed  with  celestial 
glory,  and  inhabited  by  immortal  and  celestial 
beings  who  were  redeemed  from  sin  and  raised 
from  the  dead  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  and  the 
power  of  his  resurrection,  and  who  are  clothed  in 
white  raiment  with  crowns  upon  their  heads  in 
glory;  being  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  to  the 
Lamb  with  whom  they  reign  on  earth  for  ever  and 
ever ;  for  there  will  be  the  holy  city,  New  Jerusa 
lem,  the  place  of  his  throne ;  and  his  tabernacle 
will  be  with  man,  and  he  will  dwell  with  them  and 
be  their  God ;  and  he  will  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes,  and  there  will  be  no  more  death, 
neither  sorrow  nor  gro  ming;  neither  shall  there  be 
any  more  pain,  for  the  old  order  of  things  will  have 
passed  away  and  all  things  will  have  become  new. 

Reader,  wouldst  thou  leave  thy  native  earth,  and 
soar  away  to  worlds  on  high,  and  be  at  rest  (  thou 
mayest  do  so  until  the  great  restitution  of  all  things 
spoken  by  the  prophets  ;  for  Christ  and  the  saints 
have  gone  to  worlds  on  high,  and  have  entered  in 
before  thee.  Bat  remember,  that  in  the  worlds  on 
high  thy  stay  is  short.  Jesus  and  the  saints  are 
only  there  to  await  the  full  time  for  earth  to  be 
cleansed  and  prepared  for  their  reception,  and  they 
will  all  come  home  again  to  their  native  planet;  and 


ETERNAL    DURATION,    &  C. 

even  while  they  are  in  heaven  and  absent  from  the 
earth,  they  look  forward  with  joyful  anticipation  to 
the  time  of  their  return  to  the  place  of  their  nativity. 
The  joyful  theme  of  reigning  on  the  earth  inspires 
the  music  of  their  heavenly  song ;  for  proof  of  this, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  Rev.  v.  9,  10,  he  there 
records  a  song  which  he  heard  sung  by  the  hosts  of 
heaven,  which  closes  with  the  following  words, 
"  We  shall  reign  on  the  earth." 

If  man  would  enjoy  a  heaven  beyond  the  bounds 
of  space  peopled  only  by  spirits:  if  he  would  de 
sire  to  be  for  ever  free  from  earth,  and  absent  from 
the  body  of  his  flesh,  and  from  his  native  planet, 
he  will  be  under  the  necessity  of  embracing  the 
doctrines  of  the  Alcoran,  or  some  of  the  fables  of 
the  heathen  mythology,  where,  in  the  boundless 
fields  of  fancy,  or  amid  the  romantic  wilds  of  ima 
gination  and  fanaticism,  the  mind  roams  unchecked 
by  reason,  and  loses  itself  from  all  the  realities  of 
rational  existence ;  in  a  land  of  shadows,  a  world 
of  phantoms,  from  which  it  will  only  awake  in  dis 
appointment  by  the  sound  of  the  last  trump,  and  at 
last  find  itself  constrained  to  acknowledge  that  eter 
nity  as  well  as  time,  is  occupied  in  realities,  and  by 
beings  of  a  physical  as  well  as  spiritual  existence  for 
the  inspired  writers,  one  and  all  have  agreed,  that 
the  earth  is  destined  for  the  eternal  inheritance  of 
the  saints.  The  sacred  volume  opens  with  a  para 
dise  on  earth,  and  closes  with  a  paradise  on  earth. 
Moses  introduces  us  to  a  world  of  beauty,  glory, 
excellence  and  perfection  in  the  beginning.  And 
John  closes  the  volume  by  leaving  man  in  posses 
sion  of  an  eternal  habitation  in  his  immortal  body, 
in  the  holy  city;  and  upon  the  very  planet  that  first 
gave  him  being:  and  this  is  the  end  of  the  matter. 


